Actress Blake Lively has requested that a U.S. judge dismiss actor Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit, characterizing it as a “vindictive” misuse of the legal system. Lively made the appeal on Thursday in Manhattan federal court, where her attorneys argued that Baldoni’s lawsuit was part of a broader effort to “silence and discredit” her after she came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Her legal team claimed Baldoni was using the courts as a weapon, saying, “The law does not permit defamation claims to be used to strip individuals of their right to speak out.” In addition to seeking dismissal, Lively is pursuing damages for harm to her reputation and emotional well-being, alleging that Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and others caused significant damage. Baldoni’s legal team has yet to respond to the claims. Both parties have vigorously denied each other’s allegations.
The conflict began in December when Lively accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her on the set of the upcoming 2024 film It Ends With Us, in which Baldoni starred and directed. She also claimed he attempted to ruin her reputation. Lively took legal action by filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department before initiating a separate lawsuit in Manhattan.
Baldoni and his company responded with a $400 million countersuit, accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and even media outlets like the New York Times of orchestrating a defamation campaign to extort him. Baldoni alleged that Lively sought to “take over” the movie, which focuses on themes of domestic violence, and blamed him for backlash stemming from what he called her “botched” promotional strategy.
Lively’s attorneys argued that California law protects discussions about sexual harassment, including those made publicly or in the press. They also emphasized that Lively held a “genuine and honest belief” in her claims and that Baldoni had failed to provide evidence of actual malice, which would require proof that she knowingly made false accusations or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
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