Blake Lively is actively pursuing $161 million in damages in her ongoing legal battle against Justin Baldoni, following allegations of sexual harassment and a coordinated online smear campaign intended to harm her reputation. This lawsuit update comes shortly after Baldoni’s $400 million suit against Lively was dismissed earlier in November. The actress’s legal team argues that the substantial damages sought are a response to the extensive harm she claims to have suffered.
Financial Impact Detailing Acting, Business, and Reputational Losses
Public disclosures submitted earlier this year and made available on November 5 reveal the extent of Lively’s financial losses. According to Variety, her legal counsel states that she has endured an estimated $56.2 million loss from acting, producing, speaking engagements, and endorsements. Additionally, the damage to her beauty brand Blake Brown and beverage company Betty B. Holdings accounts for approximately $71 million in losses, as reported by Deadline.
Claims for Emotional Suffering and Punitive Damages Highlight Severity
Beyond economic harm, Lively is seeking compensation for non-economic damages tied to emotional distress. Deadline details that her legal team is asking for between $250,000 and $400,000 for pain, suffering, and humiliation, along with around $34 million claimed for reputational harm, pending expert testimony. Lawyers are also pursuing triple damages, potentially bringing the total to nearly $483 million, reinforcing the gravity of the lawsuit’s financial stakes.
“in past and future earnings from acting, producing, speaking engagements and endorsements.”
—Lively’s legal representatives
“pain and suffering, physical pain, and humiliation in the range of $250,000 to $400,000 [and] reputational harm in an amount of approximately $34,000,000, subject to expert testimony.”
—Lively’s legal team
“an amount not less than three times the amount of Ms. Lively’s actual damages”
—Lively’s lawyers
Legal Strategy and Witnesses: Aims and Potential Testimonies
The large damages sought may also serve a strategic purpose in the legal proceedings. Gregory Doll, an attorney from Los Angeles’s Doll Amir Eley firm, explained to Variety that such figures are often “wish list numbers,” intended to prompt the opposing side to consider settlement instead of prolonged litigation.
“These are wish list numbers. You want to put a big enough number to get the other side concerned and want to settle.”
—Gregory Doll, Lawyer
The disclosure also lists several potential witnesses with relevant information, including high-profile names such as Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift, Hugh Jackman, Emily Blunt, Scooter Braun, Gigi Hadid, alongside the cast of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants—Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn. It remains uncertain who among them will actually testify during the trial.
Settlement Difficulties and Dismissals Affecting Related Claims
In a related development, Lively’s defamation lawsuit against social media figure Jed Wallace was dismissed. She had accused Wallace of assisting in the online smear campaign against her. However, the judge ruled there was insufficient jurisdictional connection for the lawsuit in New York since Wallace is based in Austin. Following the dismissal, a spokesperson for Lively clarified her intent to pursue claims in another venue and remain focused on the main trial scheduled for March 2026.
“The Court ruled that Ms. Lively’s claims can and should be brought in a different court. Ms. Lively is evaluating her many options for doing so, and looks forward to trial on all of her claims against Baldoni, Heath, Nathan and the rest of the Wayfarer defendants in March in New York.”
—Lively’s spokesperson
Bryan Freedman, attorney representing Justin Baldoni and other defendants, responded positively to the dismissal of claims against Wallace, emphasizing the absence of proof supporting the smear campaign allegations and stressing confidence in the upcoming trial.
“We are grateful for the Court’s order today, making clear that the claims against Mr. Wallace never belonged in this court. Allegations that he participated in any smear campaign are unsupported, and all claims against him have been dismissed by this court. The other defendants look forward to their day in court when they will show there is no merit to Ms. Lively’s claims against them.”
—Bryan Freedman, Attorney
Upcoming Trial Scheduled for March 2026
The lawsuit involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is slated to go to trial on March 9, 2026, in New York. As the case proceeds, it carries significant implications for both parties, especially considering the enormous financial claims and the high-profile individuals connected as potential witnesses. The trial will clarify the extent of damages and the veracity of the allegations surrounding the alleged smear campaign and sexual harassment claims.
