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The ‘physical pain from digital violence’ that Lively says she endured serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online retaliation and harassment faced by those who speak up.Manhattan TodayBlake Lively released a statement after a judge dismissed 10 of her 13 claims in a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and others involved in the production of the film ‘It Ends With Us.’ Lively said she was ‘grateful’ the ‘heart’ of her case will still go to trial, allowing her to ‘finally tell my story in full.’ She said the lawsuit was brought due to ‘pervasive RETALIATION’ she faced for asking for a safe working environment, and urged others not to be distracted by ‘celebrity drama’ framing.
Why it matters
Lively’s case highlights the ongoing challenges actors and crew members can face in speaking up about alleged misconduct on set, and the potential backlash they may encounter. Her vow to continue fighting exposes the broader systemic issues of harassment, silencing, and retaliation that many in the entertainment industry continue to grapple with.
The details
In her lawsuit filed in 2024, Lively claimed Baldoni, the movie’s production company Wayfarer Studios, and other defendants subjected her to ‘disturbing’ sexual harassment during filming, then engaged in a ‘sophisticated, coordinated, and well-financed’ online smear campaign against her after she spoke up. A judge dismissed 10 of her 13 claims, but left her retaliation and breach of contract allegations against the producers, as well as her aiding and abetting retaliation claim against the PR professionals. A trial is set to begin on May 18.
- Lively filed the lawsuit on December 31, 2024.
- The judge’s ruling dismissing 10 of Lively’s 13 claims was issued earlier this week.
- The trial in the case is set to begin on May 18.
The players
Blake Lively
An American actress who filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and others involved in the production of the film ‘It Ends With Us’, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.
Justin Baldoni
The director and producer of the film ‘It Ends With Us’, who was named as a defendant in Lively’s lawsuit.
Wayfarer Studios
The production company behind the film ‘It Ends With Us’, which was also named as a defendant in Lively’s lawsuit.
Sigrid McCawley
Blake Lively’s lawyer, who stated that the bulk of Lively’s sexual harassment claims were set aside not because they had no merit, but because Lively was found to be an independent contractor, not an employee.
Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach
The lawyers representing Justin Baldoni, who declared victory after the judge dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants.
What they’re saying
“The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others.”
— Blake Lively, Actress
“We’re very pleased the court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants. What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”
— Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach, Lawyers representing Justin Baldoni
“This case has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively’s reputation because she stood up for safety on the set, and that is the case that is going to trial.”
— Sigrid McCawley, Blake Lively’s lawyer
What’s next
The trial in the case is set to begin on May 18, where the remaining claims of retaliation and breach of contract against the movie’s producers, as well as the aiding and abetting retaliation claim against the PR professionals, will be presented.
The takeaway
Lively’s case highlights the ongoing challenges actors and crew members can face in speaking up about alleged misconduct on set, and the potential backlash they may encounter. Her vow to continue fighting exposes the broader systemic issues of harassment, silencing, and retaliation that many in the entertainment industry continue to grapple with.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source nationaltoday.com ’
