Home / Arts and Entertainment / Lively Wins Legal Bout: Baldoni Pays, No Damages Awarded
Lively Wins Legal Bout: Baldoni Pays, No Damages Awarded
12 Jun
Summary
- A judge ordered actor Justin Baldoni to pay legal fees but no damages to Blake Lively.
- The ruling settles a defamation and harassment lawsuit between the co-stars.
- The film 'It Ends with Us' grossed over $350 million in 2024.
Actor Justin Baldoni has been ordered by a New York judge to cover legal fees but is not required to pay damages to his "It Ends with Us" co-star Blake Lively. This ruling concludes a protracted legal conflict between the two.
The decision represents a partial success for Lively, who had faced a defamation lawsuit from Baldoni and his production company. Lively alleged this lawsuit was retaliatory following her claims of sexual harassment.
While the parties reached a settlement in May to avoid a civil trial, the specific terms were not disclosed. Lively's initial complaint detailed inappropriate discussions about sex by Baldoni and an attempt to modify the film's script for added intimacy.
Baldoni and his studio, Wayfarer, had counter-sued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging extortion and defamation. However, federal judge Lewis Liman dismissed Baldoni's claims in June 2025 and invalidated parts of Lively's complaints in April of this year.
"It Ends with Us," based on Colleen Hoover's novel, achieved significant box office success, earning over $350 million in 2024.
