Blake Lively Faces Setback as Claims Against Justin Baldoni Are Dismissed

Blake Lively experienced a significant legal setback on Thursday when a judge dismissed her sexual harassment allegations against her former co-star, Justin Baldoni. The claims stemmed from their time filming the 2024 drama It Ends With Us, during which Lively alleged that Baldoni overstepped professional boundaries.

Specifically, she pointed to an unscripted kiss, an instance where he reportedly entered her trailer while she was breastfeeding, and a moment involving a producer sharing a graphic birth video. The actress also cited a specific incident during production where Baldoni allegedly joked about missing sexual harassment training.

While Baldoni maintained the comment was a humorous reference to the day’s wardrobe, Lively viewed it as part of a hostile work environment. However, the judge’s decision to toss these claims was based on a jurisdictional technicality rather than a judgment of the facts.

Because Lively’s legal team relied on California statutes for incidents that occurred on a New Jersey film set, the court ruled the law was inapplicable. Furthermore, the judge dismissed a defamation claim regarding statements made by Baldoni’s legal representative, who had allegedly accused the actress of fabricating her story.

Out of the thirteen total claims originally filed by Lively, ten have now been officially discarded. Despite this, three critical components of the lawsuit have managed to survive judicial review and are headed toward a trial in May.

These remaining claims focus on allegations of retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract. Lively contends that after she voiced her concerns about the set’s safety and environment, Baldoni and his associates engaged in a coordinated effort to tarnish her public image.

Her attorney, Sigrid McCawley, clarified the situation, noting, “Sexual harassment isn’t going forward, not because the defendants did nothing wrong, but because the court determined Blake Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee.”

The legal team for the actress remains firm, asserting that the core of the case is the “vicious” campaign meant to silence her. McCawley released a statement explaining their next steps, saying, “She looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight.”

Meanwhile, Baldoni’s representatives expressed gratitude for the court’s thorough review, stating they are prepared to defend against the narrowed list of remaining claims. As the legal battle moves toward a May 18 trial date, both actors are continuing to navigate their professional lives.

Lively was recently seen in the sequel Another Simple Favor, which debuted in 2025, and she is currently attached to the upcoming action-romance The Survival List. Baldoni, while still managing the fallout of the It Ends With Us controversy, has largely focused on his work behind the camera with Wayfarer Studios.

Given the ongoing friction, industry insiders believe a cinematic sequel to their 2024 hit remains highly improbable. The original film was a massive commercial success, earning over $350 million globally, yet its legacy has been largely defined by this public rift.

As the trial approaches, the industry is watching closely to see how the remaining retaliation claims will impact the future of both stars.

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