Blake Lively has finally broken her silence after a major legal setback in her ongoing battle with Justin Baldoni, as a judge dismissed the majority of her sexual harassment and fat-shaming claims ahead of trial.
In a sweeping decision, Judge Lewis Liman threw out 10 of Lively’s 13 claims, significantly narrowing the case. What remains are three key allegations—breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation—which are still set to be argued in court when the trial proceeds in New York City on May 18.
Despite the setback, Lively’s legal team emphasized that the heart of the case remains intact. Her attorney, Sigrid McCawley, stated that the focus has always been on what she described as “devastating retaliation” and an alleged effort to damage Lively’s reputation after she raised concerns about on-set safety. According to the statement, Lively is determined to testify and continue shedding light on what her team calls coordinated online attacks.
The judge’s ruling centered heavily on contractual issues. He determined that Lively could not pursue sexual harassment claims under certain laws because she was legally considered an independent contractor rather than an employee during the filming of It Ends With Us. A key agreement cited by Lively’s team was deemed unenforceable, as it had never been formally signed by both parties.
The decision also addressed several of Lively’s specific allegations, including claims of inappropriate behavior during filming and accusations of body-shaming. Judge Liman found that many of these incidents either did not meet the legal threshold for harassment or were tied to the creative process of filmmaking, rather than discrimination.
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s legal team welcomed the ruling, calling it a significant victory. His attorneys said they were pleased that the court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and cleared not only Baldoni but also several of his collaborators named in the lawsuit. They added that the case is now “significantly narrowed” and expressed confidence heading into trial.
Even so, the judge acknowledged that some aspects of Lively’s retaliation claims could still be considered by a jury, noting there is enough evidence for those issues to be examined further in court.
The high-profile dispute, which began in December 2024, has drawn widespread attention, especially given the success of It Ends With Us, the film at the center of the controversy. While the movie performed strongly at the box office, its legacy has been overshadowed by the ongoing legal drama between its lead stars.
As both sides prepare for the next phase, the courtroom showdown promises to continue unfolding under intense public scrutiny.#newsafro_
