Who is Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively?

Justin Baldoni is an American actor and director, best known for his work in Jane the Virgin and on Five Feet Apart. He was the first to show interest in turning It Ends With Us, the best-selling book by Colleen Hoover, into a major motion picture. It Ends With Us is a story about domestic violence, the effects of trauma, and finding the strength to break generational cycles. Originally, Baldoni just wanted to option the book. However, shortly after obtaining the rights, Hoover told him that he should also play Ryle, the antagonist. Next to join the cast was Blake Lively, best known for her work in Gossip Girl and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Lively stars as Lily Bloom, the protagonist. She also worked as a producer behind the scenes- though, that was not the original plan.

Why Are Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively Fighting?

Despite having to take an almost 5-month break from filming due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, production went relatively smoothly; or so the public thought… Rumors of a rift between the cast began when fans noticed Baldoni’s continued absence from the press tour. The rumors seemed all but confirmed when he walked the red carpet with his family, not with the rest of the cast, at the movie’s New York premiere.

It would be months before the public learned what actually happened on set- at least according to Blake Lively. On December 20, 2024, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment, and retaliation, due to his on-set behavior during the filming of It Ends With Us. Lively also alleges that Baldoni hired a crisis publicity firm (the same one used by Johnny Depp) to engage in a social media smear campaign against her.

In her Civil Rights filing, Lively explains she tried to address the inappropriate on-set behavior before filming recommenced after the strike. This resulted in a list of 30 protections, not just for Blake Lively, but for any female cast or crew. According to People,  Wayfarer signed off on the list after reviewing the demands. The production studio explained that, “Although [their] perspective differs in many aspects, ensuring a safe environment for all is paramount, irrespective of differing viewpoints. Regarding [Lively’s] outlined requests, [they found] most of them not only reasonable but also essential for the benefit of all parties involved.”

Why is Blake Lively Suing Justin Baldoni?

Blake Lively is suing Justin Baldoni for “mental pain and anguish, severe emotional distress, and lost wages,” according to TMZ. She isn’t suing Baldoni, though! People report that Lively also filed the complaint against “the film’s lead producer, Jamey Heath, as well as Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, and its co-founder Steve Sarowitz. It was also filed against Jed Wallace, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, each of whom are named in the alleged effort to tarnish Lively’s reputation earlier this year.”

According to People, Blake Lively’s complaint alleges that:

• Baldoni “inserted improvised gratuitous sexual content and/or scenes involving nudity into the film (including for an underage character) in highly unsettling ways.”
• Baldoni discussed how “he and his partner climax simultaneously during intercourse.”
• Baldoni asked Lively whether she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, “also “climax simultaneously during intercourse.”
• “Baldoni also “improvised physical intimacy that had not been rehearsed, choreographed or discussed with Ms. Lively, with no intimacy coordinator involved.”
• Baldoni responded to Lively’s objections by saying, “I’m not even attracted to you.”
• “[B]oth Baldoni and Heath shared their own “personal sexual experiences” and, at times, pressured Lively to reciprocate.”
• “Both Baldoni and Heath spoke “often” of their “previous pornography addiction.”
• “Heath showed both Lively and her on-set assistant a graphic and “fully nude” video of his wife giving birth — which Lively initially thought was “pornography” — without consent.”
• Baldoni and Heath “invaded” Lively’s privacy by repeatedly entering her trailer unannounced while she was undressed.”
• There was an “[utter lack] in standard industry protections.”
• “[W]hen Lively — or anyone else — “avoided” physical contact with Baldoni and Heath, “they “would retaliate by becoming irritated, cold and uncollaborative.”
• Baldoni sexualized Lively.
• Baldoni criticized Lively’s appearance by making degrading comments about her age and weight.
• Baldoni and Heath deliberately chose to not tell Lively “that she had been exposed to COVID in an on-set outbreak [which] led to herself and her then-infant child contracting the illness.”
• The Baldoni-Wayfarer team created a plan “to protect his reputation and turn people against [Lively], as evidenced by private texts and emails included in the complaint.”

How Much is Blake Lively Suing Justin Baldoni for?

The amount has not yet been disclosed.

What is Justin Baldoni Suing Blake Lively for?

Although he’s always refuted Blake Lively’s allegations, Justin Baldoni originally only filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. According to People, Baldoni claims the news outlet “‘cherry-picked’ and altered communications stripped of necessary context and deliberately spliced to mislead.” Now, Justin Baldoni is suing The New York Times for $250 million.

Ironically, the day Baldoni filed his lawsuit against The New York Times is the same day Lively filed her lawsuit against him. Perhaps that’s what prompted him to file his own lawsuit against the actress on January 16, 2025.

Similarly to Lively’s complaint, Baldoni’s doesn’t just name his co-star as a defendant. It also lists Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane (Blake Lively’s publicist) and her PR company. According to NPR, the lawsuit “alleges civil extortion, defamation and a slew of contract-related claims about the film It Ends With Us.”

Per NPR, Baldoni’s complaint alleges that:

• “[T]he conflict with Lively emerged from a creative struggle…”
• “Lively leveraged her star power to push for creative input beyond what is usually granted to an actor…” by:
  • taking over wardrobe decisions,
  • rewriting scenes,
  • creating her own cut of the film, and
  • demanding that Baldoni be excluded from promotional materials and events.
• “Lively and Reynolds led a string of “extortionate threats” to tarnish Baldoni’s image.”
• Lively and her team “[disseminated] grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media.”
• “…the studio disagreed with the implication that inappropriate behavior had occurred on-set…”
• An intimacy coordination was always involved or offered on set.
• “Reynolds allegedly berated Baldoni in front of Lively, Heath, and others involved in the film, and alleges that Reynolds called Baldoni a “sexual predator” and pressured talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) to drop Baldoni as a client.”
• Baldoni and Heath “continually pushed to re-center the topic of domestic violence” in the movie’s marketing plan.

You can read the full complaint below.

How Much is Justin Baldoni Suing Blake Lively for?

Justin Baldoni is suing Blake Lively for $400 million.

It Ends With Us Behind-the-Scenes Clip Leaked

In an attempt to refute Blake Lively’s claims, Justin Baldoni released a clip from the filming of It End With Us. The footage is nearly 10 minutes long, but viewers (and new outlets) have homed in on one scene in particular. The scene in question is of Lively and Baldoni slow dancing. This scene was also used in Blake Lively’s lawsuit as an example of “improvised physical intimacy that had not been rehearsed, choreographed or discussed.”

Justin’s offensive strategy may have vindicated him in the eyes of some, but others still wholeheartedly agree with Lively, and even view the video as proof that the events she references in her lawsuit actually took place.

Regardless, Lively’s lawyers are not happy with this stunt and, according to TMZ, called it “another example of an unethical attempt to manipulate the public.” Now, her lawyers are asking that a gag order be placed on Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, to prevent further “improper conduct”.

It Ends With Us Lawsuit May Move to Earlier Date

The first major court hearing for Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively happened on February 3, 2025! During which, District Judge Lewis J. Liman instructed both sides to stop litigating their case in the media.

First, the behind-the-scenes clip leaks, then a voice note of Justin Baldoni apologizing to Blake Lively leaks, then Baldoni’s lawyer launches a website that links to his client’s amended complaint and a timeline of relevant events. Now, Judge Liman has had enough! If pretrial publicity continues, People reports the trial date could be moved up from March 9, 2026.

Despite the Judge’s warning, though, Blake Lively’s gag order request was denied. However, Judge Liman did instruct both parties’ lawyers to “comply with the New York Rules of Professional Conduct.”

Blake Lively Files Amended Complaint Against Justin Baldoni

On February 18, 2025, Blake Lively filed an amended complaint, laying out new allegations against Justin Baldoni. According to TMZ, Lively’s filing states that Baldoni “also made two other women feel “uncomfortable” on the set of “It Ends With Us,” and both are willing to testify against him at trial.” These other women also, allegedly, complained about Baldoni and raised concerns about his behavior. Lively claims Baldoni even “acknowledged the complaints in writing at the time.” She also states that “a female cast member reported her [own] concerns to Sony’s Ange Giannetti and a producer on the film after Lively had already aired her grievances to film executives,” according to TMZ. Baldoni allegedly wrote the female case member an email, letting her know “he was aware of her concerns, and that adjustments would be made.”

Blake Lively’s lawyers also added a defamation claim against Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, for making inflammatory content.

Protective Order Issued in Justin Baldoni v. Blake Lively Case

It looks like Blake Lively gets her gag order after all! TMZ reports on March 13, 2025 that Judge Liman issued an order, allowing both parties’ legal teams to classify sensitive material as suitable for “attorneys’ eyes only.” There is a provision, though… “the Court is unlikely to seal or otherwise afford confidential treatment” for any evidence that ends up in the trial.

Taylor Swift Subpoenaed in Blake Lively Justin Baldoni Lawsuit

On May 9^, 2025, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, issued a subpoena to Blake Lively’s long-time best friend, Taylor Swift! The singer has been called as a witness in the upcoming trial.

Baldoni’s team is also interested in the friends’ text messages, because—as his team explained to the federal judge—they believe that Lively is blackmailing Swift into offering her support.

Taylor Swift ‘It Ends With Us’ Subpoena Withdrawn

Unfortunately for Baldoni, his legal victory was short lived. According Deadline, the judge tossed out his claims after Bryan Freedman “reiterated that Swift’s personal text messages would be outed if she didn’t publicly support Lively…” Baldoni’s team withdrew the subpoena issued to Taylor Swift shortly after.

Lively Withdraws Emotional Distress Claims

Blake Lively is withdrawing her claim of intentional and negligently inflicted emotional distress against Justin Baldoni. The Independent reports, “[the] decision is thought to be a response to attempts by Baldoni’s legal team to obtain Lively’s medical records, including therapy notes and other health details, as part of the discovery process.”

Lively’s lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, refute this theory. They explain that their client only withdrew that particular claim so they could “streamline and focus” her case. Lively’s lawyers told Variety, “The Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law, rendering certain of Ms. Lively’s original claims no longer necessary. Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims.”

Judge Tosses Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuits

Justin Baldoni and Wayfair production’s lawsuits against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and the New York Times, have been dismissed! According to TMZ, “The judge based his opinion on the finding that Lively had included her allegations in a civil rights complaint and therefore she could not be held liable for the claims … and the NYT fairly relied upon that complaint as the basis of their story.”

The judge noted that “[the] Times had no obvious motive to favor Lively’s version of events,” even if they did report it in a “dramatized manner.” As for Baldoni’s defamation claim against Reynolds, “the judge found that… Reynolds had no reason to believe [Blake’s claims] were untrue. Therefore, the judge said [Reynolds’] comment couldn’t form the basis of a defamation claim.”

Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni has not been dismissed, though, so the battle isn’t over yet! At least, as of now… Baldoni’s team has filed a motion to dismiss Lively’s claims, but the judge has not issued a ruling yet.

Blake Lively Ordered to Reveal Income Records

Blake Lively has been given a little over a week to hand business income and expense records over to Justin Baldoni’s legal team. According to Yahoo, Lively alleged in court documents “that Baldoni’s attacks on her reputation depressed the retail sales of her hair care line, Blake Brown, by “56% —78%.” As a result, Judge Lewis J. Liman ordered Lively to submit three years’ worth of business records to the opposing counsel by July 25^th.

Baldoni’s team also asked that Lively’s total net worth be revealed, but the request was denied. Judge Liman explained that he only ordered the records “needed for “establishing whether such income and expenses have changed since the events described” in [Lively’s] lawsuit.” Any other financial information would be irrelevant at this time.

‘It Ends With Us’ Contract Unsealed

Page Six reports that Blake Lively’s proposed contract has been unsealed! Us Weekly obtained a copy, which “revealed she was to be paid a salary of over $1.7 million for her role…” The draft also promised “10% of the 2024 film’s gross proceeds,” as well as “several bonuses based on the movie’s box office performance — $250,000 for each big milestone…”

Additionally, Lively would be provided “$1,500 in assistant fees, a personal driver, use of a pop-out trailer with customary amenities and a $1,000-per-week stipend for training and meals during filming in New Jersey.” Lively was also “offered the option to have her family, two nannies, assistant and security team flown by private jet.” She never signed this draft, though.

Lively’s reps did not respond to Page Six’s request for comment, and it seems her silence was not advantageous. Apparently, this draft of Lively’s contract “had provisions that required all parties to take any issues to arbitration and not file them in public court.”  The public has taken her refusal sign as evidence of nefarious intent.

Wayfarer Co-Founder Trashes Lively in Recorded Call

In September 2025, director Claire Ayoub alleged that she endured “repeated, negative interactions” with, and was “verbally abused” by, Justin Baldoni while filming ‘Empire Waist’. According to TMZ, working with him was so bad that Ayoub “requested [Baldoni] not be included in any marketing for their film.”

When discussing the matter, Ayoub recorded her phone call with Wayfarer co-founder, Steve Sarowitz. She took this precautionary measure because she was scared of getting pressured about Baldoni. A little over a month later, Lively’s lawyers submitted Ayoub’s recording into evidence.

When discussing Lively’s allegations, TMZ reports that Sarowitz said “everything was made up” and “manufactured on purpose to take Justin down”. Sarowitz goes on to warn Ayoub, “there will be 2 dead bodies when I’m done, minimum. Not dead, but dead to me — that kind of dead … I’m going to spend a lot of money to make sure the studio is protected.”

Baldoni’s $400M Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed!

According to Page Six, “Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios co-plaintiffs… declined to file an amended complaint.” As a result, Judge Lewis Liman officially ended Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.

Judge Liman reminded all parties “in mid-October… that he would be entering a final judgment to conclude the case…” However, “Lively was the only one to respond.” Baldoni’s reps told Page Six that “he opted not to file an amended complaint so that he has the option to proceed with an appeal.”

As you can tell, the ‘It Ends With Us’ drama is far from over! Even if Justin Baldoni decides not to appeal, Blake Lively’s request for legal fees remains active. Additionally, her lawsuit is scheduled for trial in March 2026.

‘It Ends With Us’ Trial Pushed Back

Judge Lewis Liman moved the trial date from March 9 to May 18, as there are criminal trials that have taken precedent.

Court Filings Unsealed in ‘It Ends With Us’ Case

Blake Lively’s response to Justin Baldoni’s statement of undisputed material facts has been unsealed! Along with Lively’s response, exhibits related to her filing have been unsealed as well.

The newly released exhibits include communications between Blake Lively, her co-stars, and her team. Text messages between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively are also featured.

Justin Baldoni’s communications between his co-stars and team were unsealed, and frequently referenced throughout Lively’s response as well.

Blake Lively’s Unsealed Response to Statement of unDisputed Material Facts

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s Text Messages

Judge Dismisses Blake Lively’s Claims

“10 of Lively’s 13 claims against Baldoni” were thrown out, according to Page Six! Sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy are amongst the dismissed claims. However, Lively’s claims regarding “breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting in retaliation” will proceed to trial.

Blake Lively’s team said that her claims of sexual harassment were dismissed “because of a technicality.” According to Daily Mail, the technicality is that Lively is classified as an independent contractor—not  an employee. Additionally, she “did not sign a contract and the offensive conduct occurred in New Jersey instead of California.’

The ‘It Ends With Us’ trial is still set for May 18, but that may change! Daily Mail reports that both “attorneys… have been told to call US Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave on Monday in separate sessions.” They’ve been instructed to “address ‘their client’s updated settlement position’.” Lively’s call will be at 3pm ET and Baldoni’s call will be at 4pm ET.

‘It Ends With Us’ Lawsuit Settled

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reached a settlement out of court, with only weeks to spare. The terms have not been disclosed, but, according to reports, Lively’s team brought forth the proposal.

It’s safe to assume a joint statement was amongst the agreed upon conditions, because both parties issued the same one through their lawyers.

The ‘It Ends With Us’ drama has officially come to an end!

Justin Baldoni Blake Lively Full-Length Joint Statement

“The end product – the movie “It Ends With Us” – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind.

We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.

It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”

Why Did Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Settle?

More often than not, celebrity lawsuits end in a settlement. We asked RM Warner Law co-founder, Raees Mohamed, why that is. As an experienced defamation lawyer, he’s handled his fair share of high-profile cases. “What spectators of celebrity litigation do not understand,” he explains, “is the immense toll defamation cases have on your life. Both parties get turned inside out. Private facts become public, and the costs are astronomical.”

Mr. Mohamed adds, “I am glad they reached an amicable resolution, because a jury trial and verdict may not have been helpful to either side. Now, they both get to move on.”