Justin Baldoni has officially lost the lawsuit filed against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane. Federal Judge Lewis J. Liman of the New York court dismissed the civil extortion and defamation charges brought by the actor and director following Lively’s sexual harassment complaint filed in December.
In addition to the parties directly involved, Baldoni had also sued The New York Times for defamation, as the newspaper was the first to report the allegations, but this case was also dismissed.
Lively’s lawyers called the ruling a “total victory” and “complete vindication,” emphasizing that the lawsuit filed by the actor was baseless. The New York Times also welcomed the decision, describing the legal action as a “pointless attempt to stifle honest journalism.”
According to CBS News, Baldoni’s defamation claims did not hold up in court, as Lively’s statements were included in legally protected documents. A legal principle known as “absolute legal privilege” protects statements made in legal complaints, preventing them from being considered libelous.
The judge also ruled that Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, may revise their claims regarding the alleged contractual violation by the actress by June 23. This allows them to make adjustments to their allegations before any potential reassessment. As for legal expenses, each party must currently bear its own costs, unless further developments arise.
The dispute between the two Hollywood stars emerged following the release of It Ends With Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. During the film’s promotion, Baldoni participated in press events separately from his co-star and other cast members, fueling speculation about an alleged feud. Since then, both actors have gone public with allegations against the other, culminating in the dueling lawsuits.
