Justin Baldoni‘s production company Wayfarer Studios has taken a legal hit. The studio’s unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against the NYT has led to a major court decision. Wayfarer Studios must now pay a hefty amount in damages to the newspaper.
Justin Baldoni’s Studio must pay $171K after unsuccessful defamation lawsuit
A court has shut down Wayfarer Studios’ defamation lawsuit against the New York Times over its reporting on Blake Lively’s allegations related to the controversial 2024 movie It Ends With Us. The production house, co-founded by Justin Baldoni, has now been ordered to pay substantial damages.
New York Supreme Court Justice Gerald Lebovits issued a decision on Monday, July 27. The judge awarded The New York Times $171,616.20 after granting summary judgment in its favor under New York’s anti-SLAPP law.
Lebovits further said that Wayfarer’s lawsuit was based on reporting that involved a matter of public interest. He stated that the studio’s claims lacked “a substantial basis in fact and law.” The judge wrote, “The underlying federal action here arose from publicly posted media coverage… About a legal proceeding brought by a prominent actress.”
Lebovits also rejected Wayfarer’s request to delay the case pending a possible appeal. He cited both the parties’ May 2026 settlement in which Justin Baldoni and other defendants waived the right to appeal.
The New York Times issued a statement following the latest ruling. “We’re delighted by the court’s decision. The anti-SLAPP statute is designed to combat exactly these kinds of meritless suits brought to silence the press,” the newspaper said (via The Wrap).
Wayfarer Studios originally filed the defamation lawsuit against the New York Times over its December 2024 investigation, “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.” The report dug deep into Blake Lively’s s—-l harassment and workplace retaliation allegations against her co-star Justin Baldoni.
