Blake Lively recently opened up the legal battle after a judge dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit. The defamation and extortion case targeted Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane.
Here’s what Lively said about the case, the emotional impact it had, and how the court’s decision unfolded.
Blake Lively breaks silence after Justin Baldoni’s million-dollars countersued dismissal
Blake Lively addressed the emotional toll of Justin Baldoni’s defamation and extortion countersuit after a federal judge dismissed the $400 million lawsuit on June 9.
“Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us,” Lively wrote on Instagram. She added, “While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.”
The ruling came after Judge Lewis J. Liman rejected Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, stating that his team failed to prove “actual malice.” The judge also dismissed Baldoni’s $250 million defamation case against The New York Times. The lawsuit was based on a 2024 report that included allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign. Judge Liman ruled that Lively’s filings were protected and the other statements didn’t qualify as defamation.
Lively shared that 19 organizations, including the California Women’s Law Center, Equal Rights Advocates, and CHILD USA, supported her during the legal proceedings. “I’m more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves, including their safety, their integrity, their dignity and their story,” she said.
Her legal team, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, called the decision “a total victory and a complete vindication.” They added, “We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages.” (via People)
Judge Liman granted Marvel Entertainment’s request to quash a subpoena filed by Baldoni, who had sought documents related to the Deadpool & Wolverine character Nicepool. Baldoni’s team had claimed the character mocked him, but the judge prohibited the disclosure of Marvel’s confidential materials. Baldoni has denied Lively’s harassment claims.
