Key facts
- Justin Baldoni and Emily Baldoni have publicly addressed their legal dispute with Blake Lively.
- The lawsuit involved allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
- A judge dismissed most of Lively's claims and Baldoni's counter-lawsuit.
- The parties reached a settlement on remaining allegations before a trial.
- The Baldonis described the experience as traumatic and painful for their family.
Actor Justin Baldoni and his wife, Emily, have broken their silence regarding a protracted legal battle with co-star Blake Lively, describing the experience as deeply painful and traumatic for their family. The dispute stemmed from the 2024 film "It Ends With Us." Lively had filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign by Baldoni. However, a U.S. District Judge dismissed most of Lively's claims, including sexual harassment, on the grounds that she was an independent contractor, not an employee, and thus not covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for those specific claims.
Baldoni had also filed a $400 million counter-lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging defamation and extortion, but this was also dismissed by the judge. The two parties ultimately reached a settlement on the remaining allegations, which included breach of contract and retaliation, shortly before their civil trial was scheduled to commence.
In a video released on Instagram, the Baldonis expressed their relief and gratitude for the resolution, noting that they had refrained from speaking publicly for nearly two years due to the emotional toll. Emily Baldoni stated that the truth and facts had spoken for themselves. Lively, in her own statement following the settlement, emphasized that she had brought the case due to pervasive retaliation she faced for advocating for a safe working environment.