Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal feud is heating up, as new evidence emerges amid explosive claims from both sides. Following Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and defamation, Baldoni has struck back with public disclosures aimed at reframing the narrative.
On February 1, 2025, Baldoni launched the website thelawsuitinfo.com, intended to provide transparency about the legal disputes with Lively. The site features two significant documents: an Amended Complaint containing 224 pages outlining Baldoni's grievances against Lively, and a 168-page Timeline of Relevant Events dating back to 2019. These documents aim to challenge Lively's assertions, which Baldoni and his legal team have described as unfounded.
The background of the feud stems from Lively's allegations of sexual harassment against Baldoni during the production of their film, It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover's popular novel. Lively claims Baldoni created a hostile environment by entering her makeup trailer uninvited and engaging in unwanted physical advances. Her lawsuit contends these behaviors were met with retaliation through what she labels as a targeted smear campaign.
A notable aspect of Baldoni's defense arose when he published previously undisclosed text messages on his website. One message allegedly sent by Lively indicated her intention to approach scenes with flirtatious banter, raising questions about her portrayal as the sole victim. Her message read, “if you knew me (in person) longer you’d have a sense of how flirty and yummy the ball busting will play. It’s my love language. Spicy and playfully bold, never with teeth….” This attempt to depict Lively’s intentions adds layers to the already complex narrative.
Compounding the issue, Baldoni's legal response also included expressions of support from Ryan Reynolds, Lively's husband. An alleged text between Reynolds and Baldoni surfaced, showing Reynolds' encouragement for collaborations, stating, “I’m excited for Blake to crack open her creative piggy bank with someone as dynamic as you.”
While Baldoni seeks to establish his narrative through the website, Lively’s legal team is working diligently to counter his public claims. They alleged the website constitutes harassment, arguing its public nature invades her privacy and amounts to intimidation. Lively's team plans to seek a gag order against Baldoni to prevent him from disseminativey disclosing additional evidence publicly.
Initially, Bldani also sought legal remedies, filing his own $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and Lively's publicist, Leslie Sloan. He claims they conspired to damage his reputation with media manipulation and defamatory accusations. A key element of this suit involves allegations of collusion with The New York Times, which published Lively’s initial claims. Both sides claim to be victims within this high-profile drama, which only amplifies interest from both fans and legal experts.
Interestingly, the intertwining of celebrity dynamics within this legal battle has drawn the attention of the public. Taylor Swift's name surfaced amid the dispute after Baldoni's lawsuit suggested she was used to exert influence over Lively’s creative decisions. This connection adds another layer of intrigue, as Swift and Lively are known friends.
The court proceedings are scheduled to take center stage with the pre-trial conference set for February 3, 2025, and the trial officially beginning on March 9, 2026. Both parties have their work cut out for them as they attempt to assert their narratives through various strategies, including court motions and media engagement.
This legal battle highlights how personal relationships and professional ambitions can collide, creating intense public scrutiny. With significant sums of money at stake and reputation on the line, how both sides navigate this conflict could define their careers moving forward.
At the core, this case raises important questions about accountability and the power dynamics within Hollywood. It blurs the lines between personal grievances and public personas, showcasing how complex narratives can shift when put under legal and social scrutiny. For now, the eyes of the entertainment industry—and fans—remain fixed on Lively and Baldoni as they prepare for the courtroom battle of their lives.