Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Settle Legal Dispute
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, former co-stars, have settled their legal issues just two weeks ahead of jury selection, as revealed in a joint statement on Monday.
Lively’s initial complaint against Baldoni was filed over a year after the release of their film, which grossed more than $351 million globally. She both starred in and produced the romantic drama It Ends With Us, where she accused Baldoni, her on-screen love interest and director, of sexual harassment and initiating an online smear campaign against her.
Baldoni has denied the allegations, and the two have become embroiled in a public dispute that has attracted considerable media attention and speculation from fans. An earlier attempt to reach a reconciliation in February did not succeed, but they have since settled, although details of the agreement remain confidential.
In their joint statement, Lively and her legal team expressed pride in the film’s impact, highlighting its aim to raise awareness about domestic violence. They acknowledged the difficulties faced during the litigation process and emphasized their commitment to creating a positive environment and constructive dialogue moving forward.
A judge had previously dismissed ten of Lively’s thirteen claims against Baldoni, allowing only those related to breach of contract and retaliation to proceed. The court determined that Lively was functioning as an independent contractor, which undermined her ability to claim sexual harassment under federal law.
Interestingly, the attorneys involved in this case made significant earnings from the settlement as the prospect of a trial raised concerns about the actors’ careers, as noted by reports.
It Ends With Us is expected to hit theaters in August 2024, portraying a florist (Lively) who starts a tumultuous relationship with a surgeon (Baldoni), marked by increasing physical abuse. The movie, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, aims to shed light on domestic violence.
Before the film’s release, Lively faced backlash for how she approached its marketing. Some fans felt she focused too much on lighter aspects of the story while glossing over its serious themes, as reported by Hi! Entertainment.
The absence of appearances together at promotional events raised questions about the relationship between Baldoni and Lively. This speculation was validated in December 2024 when Lively publicly filed her complaint against Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios.
Baldoni countered by filing a defamation suit. In January 2025, he pursued civil litigation against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Both lawsuits were later dismissed.
The controversial fallout had immediate repercussions, leading to Baldoni’s removal from the agency representing both Lively and Reynolds and the revocation of her award from Vital Voices Global Partnership.
Initially, Lively received admiration for speaking out against harassment, but as more information emerged, public opinion appeared to shift and divide.
On the night of the settlement announcement, Lively attended the Met Gala in New York City, making a striking red carpet appearance.
