Blake Lively remains determined in her pursuit of justice after filing a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. The lawsuit, officially filed in December 2024, accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and launching a retaliatory smear campaign. According to a source close to the actress, this move was not made lightly and had been contemplated for months prior to taking legal steps.
The source told People magazine that Lively anticipated intense scrutiny and emotional challenges but ultimately chose to move forward because she believed in standing up for what was right. “This wasn’t an impulsive decision. She weighed every angle and knew the potential consequences. But Blake felt she couldn’t live with herself if she stayed silent,” the insider explained.
Lively’s focus throughout this legal process has remained on her role as a mother. She and her husband Ryan Reynolds share four children — daughters James, Inez, and Betty, and son Olin. The source emphasized, “She wants her children, especially her daughters, to understand the importance of speaking out in the face of injustice.”
Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni has denied all allegations and has taken legal action of his own. Currently spending time in Hawaii with his family, Baldoni has filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of defamation, civil extortion, and more. Lively’s legal team has dismissed these claims as baseless and without merit.
On April 10, Lively’s lawyers Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb issued a statement condemning Baldoni’s legal tactics, asserting that his defense seeks to undermine the very laws that protect survivors of sexual assault, discrimination, and harassment. They reiterated that Lively’s stance sends a powerful message to other victims: “You are not alone and you don’t have to remain silent. The law exists to protect you.”
The case is set to go to trial in March 2026, marking what may be one of the most high-profile legal showdowns in Hollywood’s recent history.
