The long-running legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni intensified through 2024 and into 2025, centering on allegations of on-set misconduct and retaliatory smear campaigns following the release of their film It Ends With Us. The Blake Lively Justin Baldoni lawsuit first became public just months after the movie’s August 2024 premiere, as the co-stars and their respective teams exchanged accusations involving sexual harassment claims, defamation suits, and lawsuits against major media outlets, drawing wide attention across Hollywood and beyond.
The dispute began with Lively filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024, alleging inappropriate behavior and retaliation by Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and associated parties. This initiated a chain of lawsuits, counter-lawsuits, intense public scrutiny, and numerous statements from involved individuals, including cast members and legal representatives. As the conflict unfolds, marked by legal motions, depositions, and public responses, a trial date is set for March 2026, promising further developments in a case dominated by tension, accusations, and complex legal maneuvers.
Blake Lively Initiates Official Complaint Against Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Associates
On December 20, 2024, Blake Lively submitted a formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department targeting Justin Baldoni and his production affiliates. The complaint outlined allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and a coordinated effort to undermine Lively’s reputation after she raised concerns about misconduct on the set of It Ends With Us. Specifically, the complaint named Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its CEO Jamey Heath, cofounder Steve Sarowitz, publicist Jennifer Abel and her communications company RWA Communications, crisis communication expert Melissa Nathan and her agency The Agency Group PR LLC, contractor Jed Wallace and his company Street Relations Inc. among the defendants.
Lively described the defendants as having
embarked on a sophisticated press and digital plan in retaliation
for her raising issues related to
invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior
she and others experienced from Baldoni and Heath. The complaint accused them of actions causing substantial personal and professional harm to her and listed multiple legal claims, including negligence, breach of contract, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy.
Investigative Report and Public Revelation of Retaliatory Smear Campaign
The day after the complaint was filed, December 21, 2024, The New York Times published an exposé detailing the alleged smear campaign against Blake Lively. The article drew on the CRD complaint and included excerpts of messages from Baldoni’s publicist and crisis communications team that were part of Lively’s legal filings. The report indicated a deliberate effort by Baldoni and his associates to damage Lively’s public image following her complaints.
I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct, and helps protect others who may be targeted.
—Blake Lively
Response From Baldoni’s Legal Team Denying Allegations
Shortly after the news broke, Bryan Freedman, attorney for Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, issued a strong rebuttal of the complaints. He condemned Lively and her representatives for making
serious and categorically false accusations
against his clients, framing the allegations as a
desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation
stemming from her own conduct during the promotional tour of the film.
Freedman also defended Wayfarer’s hiring of a crisis manager, stating it was done as a precaution before the film’s marketing campaign and that the company did not engage in retaliation but merely responded to media inquiries to ensure balanced reporting. He emphasized the private correspondences were standard public relations procedures without any proactive media manipulation.
These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.
—Bryan Freedman, Attorney for Baldoni and Wayfarer
Talent Agency WME Terminates Representation of Baldoni
On December 21, 2024, the William Morris Endeavor (WME) talent agency dropped Justin Baldoni following the negative press surrounding the allegations. Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, confirmed the decision. However, the agency denied Baldoni’s claim that Ryan Reynolds pressured WME to sever ties with him. The agency clarified that Reynolds was not involved in any way, nor was Baldoni’s former representative present at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere where Baldoni alleged the pressure occurred.
In Baldoni’s filing there is a claim that Reynolds pressured Baldoni’s agent at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere. This is not true. Baldoni’s former representative was not at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere nor was there any pressure from Reynolds or Lively at any time to drop Baldoni as a client.
—William Morris Endeavor Statement
Support from Cast Members and Industry Figures Emerges
Following the allegations, several cast members from It Ends With Us and other notable personalities publicly voiced support for Blake Lively. Author Colleen Hoover, whose novel the film is based on, praised Lively’s honesty and kindness in an Instagram message the day the NYT report went live.
@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.
—Colleen Hoover, Author
Jenny Slate, who portrayed the sister of Baldoni’s character, expressed her solidarity and admiration for Lively, emphasizing the disturbing nature of the alleged attacks and commending Lively’s bravery. Additionally, actors America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn joined the chorus of support, standing in solidarity with Lively as she pursued her claims.
As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation. Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.
—Jenny Slate, Actress
What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening. I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.
—Jenny Slate, Actress
Brandon Sklenar, another co-star and love interest in the film, urged the public to read the complaint in full, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Departure of Podcast Cohost Amid Controversy
On December 23, 2024, Liz Plank announced her exit from The Man Enough Podcast, which she co-hosted with Baldoni and Heath. Although she did not provide explicit reasons, this departure followed closely on the heels of Lively’s complaints.
I’m writing to you today to let you know that I have had my representatives inform Wayfarer that I will no longer be co-hosting The Man Enough podcast. Thank you for trusting me with your hearts and stories, for holding space for mine, and for making this show what it was. I will miss you, the listeners, so much.
—Liz Plank, Podcast Cohost
As this chapter closed for me, I remain committed to the values we’ve built together. Thank you for being here, for trusting me, and for being by my side for the last four years. We all deserve better, and I know that together, we can create it.
—Liz Plank, Podcast Cohost
I will have more to share soon as I continue to process everything that has happened. In the meantime, I will continue to support everyone who calls out injustice and holds the people standing in their way accountable.
—Liz Plank, Podcast Cohost
Former Publicist Files Suit Against Baldoni, Associates, and Crisis Team
Baldoni’s former publicist Stephanie Jones, along with her agency Jonesworks LLC, filed a lawsuit on December 24, 2024, accusing Baldoni, Wayfarer, publicist Jennifer Abel, and crisis specialist Melissa Nathan of conspiring to attack Jones and her firm. The suit claims Abel and Nathan orchestrated a smear campaign that falsely implicated Jones in orchestrating attacks on Lively, causing contract breaches and business losses.
Defendants Abel and Nathan secretly conspired for months to publicly and privately attack Jones and Jonesworks, to breach multiple contracts and induce contractual breaches, and to steal clients and business prospects. Behind Jones’s back, they secretly coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign against Baldoni’s film co-star, and then used the crisis as an opportunity to drive a wedge between Jones and Baldoni, and to publicly pin blame for this smear campaign on Jones—when Jones had no knowledge or involvement in it.
—Stephanie Jones’ Lawsuit
The complaint also alleges that Abel and Nathan continued to defame Jones after her departure and that Baldoni and Wayfarer breached agreements and refused private settlement negotiations. Freedman, representing Abel, Nathan, Baldoni, and Wayfarer, contested the claims and threatened to sue Jones for releasing confidential text messages.
Baldoni and Associates File $250 Million Lawsuit Against The New York Times
On December 31, 2024, Baldoni, Wayfarer, and other associated defendants filed a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times. The lawsuit challenged the newspaper’s article on the alleged smear campaign, claiming the report was based on false and context-stripped evidence derived from Lively‘s complaint. The plaintiffs argued that it was Lively and not them who orchestrated a public smearing of Baldoni.
Despite its claim to have ‘reviewed these along with other documents,’ the Times relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative, lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives.
—Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against NYT
It was Lively, not Plaintiffs, who engaged in a calculated smear campaign.
—Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against NYT
The New York Times disputed these claims, affirming its intention to vigorously defend the story as comprehensive and accurately based on thousands of pages of documents, text messages, and emails quoted extensively in the article.
The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead. Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article.
—The New York Times Statement
Lively Files Federal Lawsuit Against Baldoni and Associates
On the same day as Baldoni’s lawsuit against The New York Times, Blake Lively filed a federal lawsuit in New York against Baldoni, Wayfarer, and related individuals and entities. The claims echoed those in her earlier CRD complaint, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, negligence, emotional distress, breach of contract, and false light invasion of privacy.
Lively‘s legal team responded to Baldoni’s suit against The New York Times by affirming that it did not alter or negate any of the claims in her own lawsuits, emphasizing that litigation was an intended step, contrary to assertions from Baldoni’s side.
Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims in the CRD and federal complaints.
—Blake Lively’s Attorneys
This lawsuit is based on the obviously false premise that Ms. Lively’s administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a ruse based on a choice ‘not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer,’ and that ‘litigation was never her ultimate goal.’ As demonstrated by the federal complaint filed by Ms. Lively earlier today, that frame of reference for the Wayfarer lawsuit is false.
—Blake Lively’s Attorneys
Baldoni’s Lawyer Confirms Plans to Sue Lively
In early January 2025, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman made clear that the battle over the allegations was far from over. Freedman stated that there were other bad actors involved beyond the lawsuits already filed and that Baldoni’s team intended to file further legal actions, including a direct lawsuit against Blake Lively.
There are other bad actors involved, and make no mistake—this will not be the last lawsuit.
—Court Documents
Reynolds’ Role Questioned Amid Social Media Speculation
Speculation surfaced on social media suggesting Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively’s husband, mocked Baldoni via a character called Nicepool in the film Deadpool & Wolverine. Freedman condemned such behavior in an interview, emphasizing that issues of sexual harassment should be taken seriously and addressed through proper channels rather than mocked publicly.
What I make of that is that if your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of Justin Baldoni. You don’t make fun of the situation. You take it very seriously. You file HR complaints. You raise the issue and you follow a legal process. What you don’t do is mock the person and turn it into a joke.
—Bryan Freedman, Attorney
Meanwhile, Lively’s legal counsel highlighted that attacks against her have persisted since the lawsuit was filed, underlining that the federal litigation addresses serious claims supported by concrete evidence, not just a celebrity dispute. They warned against tactics that blame victims or seek to normalize harassment by reversing victim and offender roles.
Ms. Lively’s federal litigation before the Southern District of New York involves serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation, backed by concrete facts. This is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences’ or a ‘he said/she said’ situation.
—Blake Lively’s Lawyers
While we go through the legal process, we urge everyone to remember that sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry. A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’ by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied. Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim.
—Blake Lively’s Lawyers
These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct. Media statements are not a defense to the claims, which we will prosecute in court.
—Blake Lively’s Lawyers
Freedman responded by accusing Lively’s team of orchestrating a media campaign based on edited documents to attack Baldoni and alleged that evidence would reveal attempts by Lively to bully and manipulate control over the film.
It is painfully ironic that Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of weaponizing the media when her own team orchestrated this vicious attack by sending the New York Times grossly edited documents prior to even filing the complaint. We are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie. None of this will come as a surprise because consistent with her past behavior Blake Lively used other people to communicate those threats and bully her way to get whatever she wanted. We have all the receipts and more.
—Bryan Freedman, Attorney
Baldoni and Associates’ $400 Million Lawsuit Targets Lively, Reynolds, and PR Teams
On January 16, 2025, Baldoni, Wayfarer, publicist Jennifer Abel, crisis communications specialist Melissa Nathan, and the production entity associated with It Ends With Us filed an aggressive $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit in New York against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane—Lively’s publicist—and Sloane’s Vision PR company.
The plaintiffs denied the sexual harassment and smear campaign allegations and accused the defendants of executing a coordinated media plan to defame them following backlash against Lively‘s film promotion efforts. They also claimed Lively seized creative control over the movie with her team to damage Baldoni’s reputation. The lawsuit was later amended to include The New York Times as a defendant, while dismissing previous claims against the publication.
Blake Lively was either severely misled by her team or intentionally and knowingly misrepresented the truth.
—Bryan Freedman, Attorney
Lively’s Legal Team Calls Baldoni’s Lawsuit a “Desperate” Retaliation
In response to Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit, Lively’s lawyers condemned it as yet
another chapter in the abuser playbook
, arguing Baldoni was attempting to turn the tables on the victim through a common tactic known as DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender). They disputed claims that Lively alienated the cast or took control of the film, stating Sony asked Lively to oversee the final cut, which became a commercial success.
This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO. Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim Offender.
—Blake Lively’s Legal Team
Their response to sexual harassment allegations: she wanted it, it’s her fault. Their justification for why this happened to her: look what she was wearing. In short, while the victim focuses on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim.
—Blake Lively’s Legal Team
The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate, it does not refute the evidence in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and it will fail.
—Blake Lively’s Legal Team
Behind-the-Scenes Footage Released, Sparking Conflicting Interpretations
On January 21, 2025, Baldoni’s attorneys published behind-the-scenes footage from the production of It Ends With Us, claiming the interactions refuted Lively’s allegations. The video depicted a romantic scene between the lead characters, with both actors appearing professional and respectful.
The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another. Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism.
—Baldoni’s Attorneys
However, Lively’s legal team disputed the defense, stating the footage corroborated her description of discomfort and unwanted physical contact that was improvised by Baldoni without prior consent or discussion.
The video shows Ms. Lively leaning away and repeatedly asking for the characters to just talk. Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognize Ms. Lively’s discomfort.
—Blake Lively’s Attorneys
Lively and Reynolds Request Gag Order Against Baldoni’s Lawyer
On January 22, 2025, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds requested the court to impose a gag order on Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lead attorney, aiming to limit potentially improper public comments during ongoing litigation. The couple’s letter to the presiding judge emphasized the need to avoid statements that could prejudice the case or encourage improper conduct.
Revealed 2 AM Voice Memo Sheds Light on Production Disputes
A seven-minute voice message allegedly sent by Baldoni to Lively during filming surfaced on January 27, 2025. In this recording, Baldoni referenced script changes made by Lively to a key rooftop scene, which he had earlier rejected, and mentioned a meeting with Reynolds and Taylor Swift.
We should all have friends like that aside from the fact that they’re two of the most creative people on the planet. The three of you guys together, it’s unbelievable.
—Justin Baldoni (in voice memo)
I f–ked up. One thing you should know about me is that I will admit and apologize when I fail.
—Justin Baldoni (in voice memo)
Trial Date Set for March 2026
On January 27, 2025, a court date was scheduled for March 9, 2026, marking the beginning of the formal trial phase where the numerous allegations and defenses between Lively and Baldoni will be examined under the law.
Baldoni Expands Defamation Suit to Include The New York Times
On January 31, 2025, Baldoni’s legal team amended their ongoing $400 million lawsuit to incorporate The New York Times as a defendant, accusing Lively and her team of colluding with the newspaper to disseminate false information. The amended complaint claimed the newspaper selectively edited and altered communications to mislead the public and promote Lively’s version of events.
The filing alleged that the newspaper cherry picked and altered communications stripped of necessary context and deliberately spliced to mislead.
—Baldoni’s Amended Lawsuit
Baldoni’s Legal Team Launches Website to Present Their Narrative
On February 2, 2025, Baldoni’s team unveiled a website sharing details of their lawsuit against Lively, including the amended complaint and a timeline of events relevant to the case. The site featured purported screenshots of texts between Lively, Reynolds, and Baldoni. Freedman had previously stated intentions to release all correspondence publicly to provide transparency.
We want the truth to be out there. We want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts.
—Bryan Freedman, Attorney
Lively Files Amended Complaint Adding Additional Witnesses
On February 18, 2025, Lively’s attorneys filed an amended complaint naming two other women who also expressed discomfort regarding Baldoni’s conduct on set. While their identities remained confidential due to fears of further retaliation, the complaint asserted their testimonies would corroborate Lively’s claims and detailed that Baldoni had acknowledged these complaints in writing as early as May 2023.
Ms. Lively was not alone in complaining about Mr. Baldoni. The experiences of Ms. Lively and others were documented at the time they occurred starting in May of 2023. Importantly, and contrary to the entire narrative Defendants have invented, Mr. Baldoni acknowledged the complaints in writing at the time. He knew that women other than Ms. Lively also were uncomfortable and had complained about his behavior.
—Lively’s Amended Complaint
Freedman dismissed these additions as unsubstantial hearsay, claiming the unnamed individuals were unwilling to publicly support Lively’s claims.
Publicist Leslie Sloane Seeks Removal from Lawsuit
Following accusations from Baldoni’s side that Leslie Sloane propagated malicious stories about him and orchestrated a smear campaign on behalf of Lively, Sloane requested to be dismissed from the suit. Her legal counsel argued there was no basis for the claims and that she had been unfairly drawn into the conflict as a distraction from the primary allegations.
There was no basis for the accusations made against our client, and she was simply dragged into the lawsuit as a smoke and mirrors exercise to distract from Lively’s accusations.
—Sloane’s Legal Team
Lively Enlists Former CIA Deputy Chief of Staff for Legal Communications
On February 28, 2025, Lively’s legal team announced the hiring of Nick Shapiro, a former CIA Deputy Chief of Staff, to advise on communications strategy for her ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation litigation. Shapiro has a security and crisis management background, including tenures at Visa and Airbnb, and now leads his own consulting firm.
We have brought on CIA alum Nick Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York.
—Member of Lively’s Litigation Team
The New York Times Requests Dismissal from Litigation
Also on February 28, 2025, The New York Times filed a motion to dismiss itself from the $400 million lawsuit implicating Lively, Baldoni, and others. The newspaper argued it was caught up in a
one-sided tale that has garnered plenty of headlines
, claiming it does not belong in the legal dispute. The Times noted their earlier $250 million libel suit filed by Baldoni’s team was dismissed after they were added to the counter-lawsuit.
The Times does not belong in this dispute.
—The New York Times Legal Filing
Discovery Stay Granted by Judge in Baldoni’s Lawsuit
On March 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman granted a temporary stay of discovery in Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit following the motion filed by The New York Times to dismiss itself. The judge found substantial grounds and
a strong showing that its motion to dismiss is likely to succeed on the merits
, and determined that maintaining the stay would not unfairly prejudice Baldoni’s team.
We appreciate the court’s decision today, which recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake here. The court has stopped Mr. Baldoni from burdening The Times with discovery requests in a case that should never have been brought against.
—The New York Times Spokesperson
Baldoni’s Legal Team Attempts to Subpoena Taylor Swift
In May 2025, Baldoni’s attorneys sought to subpoena singer Taylor Swift, alleging that Lively leveraged their friendship to gain creative control over the film. Swift’s representative swiftly refuted any involvement in the movie’s creative or production process, clarifying her connection was limited to licensing one song for the soundtrack and accusing the subpoena of exploitation for public attention.
Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie. She was not involved in any casting or creative decisions, she did not score the film, she never saw an edit or made any notes on the film.
—Taylor Swift’s Representative
The connection Taylor had to this film was permitting the use of one song, ‘My Tears Ricochet.’ Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.
—Taylor Swift’s Representative
Later that month, Baldoni’s attorneys withdrew the subpoena request.
Dismissal of Baldoni’s $400 Million Defamation Countersuit
On June 9, 2025, a judge dismissed the $400 million countersuit Baldoni filed against Lively, Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, her company Vision PR, and The New York Times. The court ruled there was insufficient proof to support claims of defamation or extortion. This decision was heralded by Lively’s team as a total victory, though Baldoni’s lawyer contested that assessment.
Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us. While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.
—Blake Lively via Instagram Stories
Ms. Lively and her team’s predictable declaration of victory is false. This case is about false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign, which Ms. Lively’s own team conveniently describes as ‘untraceable’ because they cannot prove what never happened.
—Bryan Freedman, Attorney
Blake Lively’s Deposition Marks a Key Legal Milestone
On July 31, 2025, Blake Lively was deposed at her legal team’s office in New York, a significant event in the ongoing litigation. Contrary to media portrayals of a dramatic face-to-face confrontation with Baldoni, Lively’s lawyers emphasized that the deposition was conducted professionally, with multiple parties and legal representatives present to ensure fairness.
The narrative that Ms. Lively needed a large contingent of people with her to testify is false.
—Blake Lively’s Counsel
Baldoni reportedly attended alongside other defendants and their attorneys, marking another step toward discovery in this high-profile case.
