Blake Lively has opened up about the "agonizing ordeal" she endured due to Justin Baldoni's countersuit, triumphantly announcing its dismissal by the judge as a "resounding defeat" for her adversary. On Monday, June 9th, the 37-year-old actress posted on her Instagram Stories, "Like countless others, I've been through the harrowing experience of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the artificially constructed shame aimed at crushing our spirits." She continued, "Although the suit against me has been vanquished, many lack the means to fight back."
Lively further emphasized her unwavering commitment to championing every woman's right to speak up for their protection, encompassing their safety, integrity, dignity, and narrative. "With heartfelt love and gratitude to those who stood by my side, many of whom I know and many I don't. But my appreciation and advocacy for you will never cease," she penned.
Accompanying her heartfelt message, Lively shared a curated list of organizations offering vital resources and information: California Employment Lawyers Association, California Women's Law Center, CHILD USA, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, Equal Rights Advocates, Esperanza United, Her Justice, Herunivercity Inc., National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Organization for Women, National Organization for Women NYC, New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, New York Cyber Abuse Task Force, New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition, Sanctuary for Families, Urban Resource Institute, Women's Equal Justice, and Women's Justice NOW. Notably, some of these entities and experts had recently filed amicus briefs in the ongoing case, sounding the alarm against what they deemed Baldoni's "attempt to dismantle a law meant to shield women who dare to speak out," as conveyed by a spokesperson for Lively in an earlier statement.
On June 9th, Judge Lewis J. Liman granted motions to dismiss Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, which included allegations of extortion and defamation, as well as his $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. Her legal team hailed the ruling as an "unqualified victory and complete exoneration" for the actress. In their post-dismissal statement, Lively's attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, remarked, "As we've maintained since the inception, this '$400 million' lawsuit was a farce, and the Court saw through it clearly." They further expressed their anticipation for the next phase, seeking attorneys' fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties for "perpetrating this abusive litigation."
Judge Liman's June 9th filing noted that Baldoni's legal team could still amend their claims for breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract if they chose to proceed, with a June 23rd deadline.
In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against her 'It Ends With Us' director-costar Baldoni, 41, among others, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation, which he has vehemently denied. Recently, she agreed to withdraw two of her claims against Baldoni—intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress—a move her legal team characterized as a "routine aspect of the litigation process" aimed at "streamlining and focusing" their case.
In March, Baldoni's legal representative, Freedman, responded to Lively's motion to dismiss their countersuit, stating that her attempt to "disentangle herself from the self-created mess she ignited stands as one of the most abhorrent examples of abusing our legal system." He added, "Rigid regulations are in place to safeguard the innocent and empower individuals to defend themselves justly. Laws are not intended to be manipulated and tailored by privileged elites to serve their personal agendas." Their trial is scheduled for March 2026.
