Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : A bit of Hollywood courtroom drama wrapped up this week when a U.S. judge tossed out Justin Baldonis lawsuit against Blake Lively. The unusual case stemmed from her December claims of sexual harassment and retaliation on the It Ends With Us set.
Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Baldoni never cleared the threshold for a defamation claim, because words in a legal brief enjoy near-absolute protection. He further decided that the accusation of extortion simply didnt line up with Californias civil code.
Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios had jolted the press by countersuing Lively, Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and even The New York Times, slapping them with a $400 million tag. They argued the actors wife withheld vital marketing approvals and poisoned the public narrative about the shoot.
Liman called that theory too flimsy, declaring the defense failed to prove she had any contractual duty to promote the picture. The judges bench ruling still left a sliver of daylight: Baldonis team can tinker with breach-of-contract language and file an amended claim if they wish.
Blake Lively Responds, Stresses Support for Women’s Rights
After the ruling landed in her feed, Lively tapped out a quick Story to say she still stands with anyone fighting for bodily autonomy. She also shot down the idea of retaliation suits as anything but a cheap smear and insisted real accountability is unavoidable.
The actors lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, called the bench order a complete vindication, adding that it clears the air for every name thrown into the countersuit.
New York Times Also Cleared of Defamation
Judge Liman bundled the Times claims into the same dismissal, noting that rigorous reporting shouldnt be chilled by frivolous litigation.
Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesman for the paper, welcomed the news and labeled the move a meritless attempt to stifle honest reporting.
Background: It Ends With Us and On-Set Tensions
It Ends With Us bowed in theaters last August, adapted from Colleen Hoovers blockbuster novel, and opened to a huge $50 million weekend. Behind the cameras, however, rumors of heat between Lively and director Alyssa Baldoni surfaced almost immediately.
Though whispers circulated that Lively threatened to sit out press, the court discovered no binding clause forcing her into the promotional grind.
Career Highlights Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Though they walk different on-screen paths, both share an instinct for honesty that lands them in the heart of a scene.
Blake Lively rattles off titles like Gossip Girl, The Town, The Shallows, even the early charm of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. People picture her sliding effortlessly between Manhattan chatter and ocean-lit quiet.
Justin Baldoni answers with Jane the Virgin laughter and the quiet ache of directing Five Feet Apart. He flips a page and there is Man Enough-its ink daring guys to outgrow the old rules.
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