Blake Lively released a lengthy statement on Friday following the dismissal of 10 of her 13 claims in a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni involving the film It Ends With Us just six weeks before a trial in Manhattan federal court.
In a social media post, Lively said she was “grateful” for the court’s ruling, which “allows the heart of my case to be presented to a jury next month, and for the ability to finally tell my story in full at trial.”
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“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,” she said. “I hope the Court’s decision shows others that, as unfathomably painful as it is, you can speak up.”
The actress urged others to not be distracted by the framing of the lawsuit as “celebrity drama,” which she said is designed “to keep you from seeing yourselves in my story.”
In her lawsuit first filed on Dec. 31, 2024, Lively claimed Baldoni, the movie’s production company Wayfarer Studios, and the other defendants subjected her to “disturbing” sexual harassment during the film’s production, then engaged in a “sophisticated, coordinated, and well-financed” online smear campaign against her after she spoke up. Lively accused the defendants of attempting to “silence” and “eviscerate” her before she had a chance to go public with her claims.
“The physical pain from digital violence is very real,” she wrote in her statement posted on Friday. “It is abuse. And it’s everywhere. Not just in the news, but in your communities and schools. If you’re looking, my claims won’t be the first or last time you’ll see examples of the extreme dangers of retaliation and digital warfare. And it often won’t be directed at celebrities or those who may able to speak up. It affects us all.”
“So much critical work has already been done to expose systems, tactics and players who harm. The work to create more safety is in part at trial, but it will also continue far after this trial is over,” she continued.
“I will never stop doing my part in fighting to expose the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims. I know it’s a privilege to be able to stand up. I will not waste it,” she vowed, concluding her statement with a dragon emoji — a possible nod to her alleged texts in which she purportedly referenced herself as Game of Thrones character Khaleesi, with Reynolds and Swift described as her “dragons.”
Lawyers for Lively and Baldoni did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a new 152-page ruling earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman left Lively’s claims for retaliation and breach of contract against the movie’s producers, as well as her aiding and abetting retaliation claim against The Agency Group PR. A trial in the case is set to begin May 18.
Baldoni’s lawyers, Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach, promptly declared victory. “We’re very pleased the court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants,” they said at the time, referring to allegations that singled out Baldoni, his producing partners Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz, and the public relations professionals Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel as personally liable apart from the corporate defendants. “What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”
In their own statement, Lively’s lawyer Sigrid McCawley said 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. “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,” McCawley said.
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