Blake Lively was at her New York City lawyer’s office on Thursday for a deposition related to her claim against Justin Baldoni. Interestingly, Baldoni was also present, which came as a surprise to many.
According to reports, there was some contention over where the deposition would take place. Lively preferred to hold it in her lawyer’s office, likely to avoid the media frenzy that often surrounds high-profile figures.
Baldoni’s legal team, however, argued that conducting it in Lively’s office could be detrimental to their case, suggesting they needed a neutral space for privacy during discussions.
They expressed concerns about Lively potentially using her celebrity status to skew the situation in her favor, pointing out that the lawyer’s outbursts had no place in this context.
Lively has consistently indicated her willingness to testify, backing up her allegations that Baldoni sexually harassed her during the production of their film and sought to tarnish her reputation with a smear campaign.
Her lawyer, Mike Gottlieb, mentioned earlier that he believes the testimony will be crucial to presenting her side of the story during the trial.
Yet, Lively seems to have reservations about her deposition becoming a spectacle. This anxiety likely intensified after Baldoni’s attorney, Brian Friedman, suggested something quite unconventional: broadcasting the proceedings live at Madison Square Garden, complete with ticket sales to support domestic abuse victims.
The judge recently sided with Lively, allowing her to choose the deposition venue. The court noted that arrangements would be made to facilitate document sharing between the parties.
Friedman and his team aim to challenge Lively’s allegations, claiming they are false and have showcased evidence, including text messages and footage from the film set, to support their stance.
However, Lively contends that Baldoni has a history of inappropriate behavior toward other women on set, which she believes not only reinforces her claims but indicates a broader pattern of misconduct.
In response to Lively’s allegations, Baldoni has filed a hefty $400 million lawsuit, accusing her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of defamation. Nonetheless, a judge dismissed this case, deeming Lively’s statements protected under certain privileges.
The high-profile legal battle is expected to head to trial in March 2026, drawing significant attention from the public and media alike.
