A judge has dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, ruling that Baldoni’s allegations of sexual harassment were legally protected and thus not subject to a defamation claim. Judge Lewis J. Liman’s decision extended beyond just the defamation claims, dismissing Baldoni’s entire legal action, which included allegations of extortion, while permitting him to amend certain claims related to contract interference.
In response to the ruling, Lively’s legal team declared it a significant win, emphasizing that the lawsuit was baseless from the beginning. They expressed intent to pursue attorney fees and seek damages from Baldoni and other involved parties for what they described as retaliatory litigation.
Furthermore, Lively has filed her own lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. She claims that after voicing concerns about the working conditions on the set of the film “It Ends With Us,” Baldoni and the production team sought to damage her reputation.
Baldoni’s counterclaim implicated the New York Times, Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist in a conspiracy to ruin his career through false accusations. However, Liman found that the initial claims made to the California Civil Rights Department and reported by the Times were protected under litigation privilege, thereby shielding them from defamation claims.
The ruling further stated that Reynolds’ comments about Baldoni, labeling him a “sexual predator,” were justified as he relied on Lively’s credible account of the events. Similarly, Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, was found not liable for defamation in her interactions with the media.
Looking forward, a trial concerning Lively’s claims against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios is scheduled for March 2026. While the legal battles continue, this ruling marks a notable moment in the ongoing disputes, highlighting the complexities of both defamation and harassment claims in the entertainment industry.