A judge has dismissed the majority of Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni, reducing the scope of the lawsuit that followed the release of the movie, ‘It Ends With Us’.
Judge Lewis Liman ruled on Thursday, that 10 of the 13 claims, including harassment, defamation, and conspiracy, could not proceed. Three claims, which include breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation were allowed to move forward to trial.
Lively, who played the lead in the film, accused Baldoni, the director of the movie and her co-star, of sexually harassing her on set with comments about her appearance and weight. Liman determined that federal law did not allow her to file a sexual harassment claim because she was an independent contractor. He also said that California law could not be applied because the filming took place in New Jersey.
The lawsuit further alleged that Baldoni employed publicists to retaliate against Lively by spreading negative stories online. Liman ruled that two retaliation claims would go before a jury.
“We’re very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants,” said attorneys Alexandria Shapiro and Jonathan Bach, representing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and their publicists. “These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence that was provided. What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court”.
Sigrid McCawley, part of Lively’s legal team, highlighted that the trial will focus on whether Lively was targeted by a coordinated smear campaign.
“This case has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively’s reputation because she stood up for safety on the set and that is the case that is going to trial,” McCawley said. “For Blake Lively, the greatest measure of justice is that the people and the playbook behind these coordinated digital attacks have been exposed and are already being held accountable by other women they’ve targeted. She looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight”.
Baldoni’s legal team countered that Lively exaggerated claims of misconduct to gain control of the film and portray Baldoni negatively. They argued her allegations amounted to “minor grievances” and that he had the right to defend himself.
‘It Ends With Us’ grossed $350 million worldwide in 2024, but its release was accompanied by persistent rumors of a rift between the lead actors. Tom Rothman, film chair at Sony Pictures Entertainment, described the situation in an August 2024 email: “It’s all a ****king disaster. None of the who is right or wrong matters at all. The mess is the story now and will define the film. No one can watch the film in the same way. Tragic.”
In February, the two parties attended a mediation session with a magistrate judge, which did not result in a settlement.
The dispute has also involved Taylor Swift. In a text to Lively in fall 2024, Swift referred to Baldoni, saying, “I think this b*tch knows something is coming because he’s gotten out his tiny violin.” Lively responded to Swift, calling Baldoni a “clown” and a “doofus director.”
