Chelsea Handler wants Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to stop their legal feud, and she’s not holding back. The 49-year-old comedian recently voiced her thoughts on the increasingly contentious battle between the co-stars of the 2024 film It Ends With Us, comparing their public spat to behavior you'd find on the playground.
Handler told Page Six, "The reason it’s such a frenzy is because they keep releasing more and more stuff. Stop it! You’re not helping yourself." Her observations come amid the backdrop of Lively's serious allegations against Baldoni, which include claims of sexual harassment and attempts to damage her reputation.
It all began last summer when rumors surfaced about discord between Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 41, as they noticeably avoided joint promotional events for their film. Fast forward to December 2024, and Lively officially filed sexual harassment charges against Baldoni, accusing him of inappropriate conduct on set. The situation escalated rapidly, with her filing subsequent lawsuits for lost wages and emotional distress.
On his part, Baldoni has vehemently denied all allegations and retaliated by filing significant lawsuits of his own. He launched a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times for publishing the story about Lively's complaint. Adding to the drama, Baldoni also slapped Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane with a $400 million defamation lawsuit.
Things took another turn when Baldoni released private text messages between himself and Lively, which included her allegedly playful message describing her approach to their exchanges as "spicy and playfully bold, never with teeth." This admission, instead of clarifying the situation, drew critiques accusing Baldoni of violating Lively's privacy.
Handler didn't shy away from making light of the messy situation during her hosting gig at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards. "Thank you for providing us with this distraction," she quipped to the audience, acknowledging how the feud provided some levity against the backdrop of recent political turmoil. "I think we’re all grateful, and I think we’re good. I think everybody in this room, no matter whose side you’re on, we can all agree to accept there’s probably not going to be a sequel." Her humor managed to bring laughter to the room, but the underlying message of concern for both stars was evident.
Expressing her view, Handler remarked, "It’s like you have to break up a fight in a schoolyard playground... Isn’t someone saying, ‘Stop it!’?" Her comments reflect not only frustration with their behavior but also concern for the personal toll the feud may be exacting on both parties.
With the lawsuits consolidated, the legal battle shows no signs of abatement. A trial is set for March 9, 2026, with both sides firmly standing their ground and refusing to seek mediation, deeming it too premature.
Adding layers to the emotional fallout, Lively’s latest complaint revealed the strain the situation has placed on her children and husband. She claims the dispute has left her kids traumatized and affected Reynolds both mentally and physically. The toll of public scrutiny and legal maneuvers appears to have deeply impacted her family life.
While Handler's comedic insights have provided some comic relief amid this drama, her appeal for the actors to step back raises significant questions about celebrity culture’s obsession with public disputes. Reflecting on the entire controversy, Handler suggested, "Stop it! You’re not helping yourself," and perhaps this is advice Lively and Baldoni both need to reflect upon as their complicated situation continues to unfurl under the watchful eyes of the media and fans alike.