Federal judge dismisses most of Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us case
Consensus Summary
A federal judge dismissed the majority of Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni in their high-profile It Ends With Us case, narrowing the lawsuit to three remaining claims: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding in retaliation. Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Lively, an independent contractor, lacked legal standing to pursue sexual harassment claims under Title VII, citing the film’s intimate scenes as creative experimentation rather than harassment. Baldoni’s legal team dismissed the allegations as baseless, while Lively’s attorneys argued the dismissal was procedural. The case stems from alleged inappropriate behavior during filming, including physical contact and comments, though the judge framed much of it as part of the film’s dramatic portrayal. The trial is set for May 18, with both parties preparing to present their sides amid ongoing public scrutiny of their feud. The film itself became a global hit despite the controversy, grossing over $350 million, overshadowed by the actors’ legal battle and leaked private messages.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Federal Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of Blake Lively’s 13 claims against Justin Baldoni in a ruling on 18 April 2024
- The surviving claims are breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, with a trial scheduled for 18 May 2024
- Judge Liman ruled Lively was an independent contractor (not an employee) and thus could not bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
- Lively alleged Baldoni kissed her forehead, rubbed his face against her neck, and made comments like ‘it smells good’ during filming of It Ends With Us
- Judge Liman stated Baldoni’s conduct was ‘acting in the scene’ and ‘directed to Lively’s character rather than to Lively herself’
- Baldoni’s lawyers described him and co-defendants as ‘very good people’ who did not engage in sexual harassment as alleged
- Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million defamation claim against Lively and Ryan Reynolds in June 2024
- It Ends With Us grossed over $350 million worldwide and was released in August 2024
- Lively’s leaked text messages to Taylor Swift and Ben Affleck were referenced in the Guardian’s coverage
- Judge Liman’s 152-page opinion analyzed the context of the film’s intimate scenes and creative process
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Lively’s lawyers claimed Baldoni was ‘consistently inappropriate’ with her, including unwanted comments about her appearance and weight
- Lively’s text to Taylor Swift called Baldoni the ‘doofus director of my movie’ and asked for screenplay rewrite feedback
- Swift allegedly replied ‘I’ll do anything for you!’
- Matthew Belloni (former entertainment lawyer) stated the case ‘hurts both of them’ due to prolonged mudslinging
- Lively’s attorney Mike Gottlieb said the court’s ruling was about legal technicalities, not an endorsement of defendants’ conduct
- Baldoni hired a crisis PR team after rumors of a rift surfaced post-release
- Judge Liman cited Baldoni’s comment ‘pretty hot’ after asking Lively to remove her jacket, exposing a lace bra
- Baldoni allegedly rolled his eyes and said ‘Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training’ after being warned
- Lively alleged Baldoni pushed for a naked birth scene filmed without set closure, and discussed his pornography addiction
- Judge Liman noted Baldoni’s statement that Lively had ‘never seen pornography’ may have crossed a line
- The film’s box office debut was $50 million (converted to $72 million)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reports Lively’s text to Swift included a request for screenplay rewrite feedback, while ABC does not mention this detail
- The Guardian states Baldoni’s $400 million defamation claim was dismissed in June 2024, but ABC does not specify the amount or timing
- The Guardian highlights Lively’s leaked texts to Ben Affleck, but ABC does not reference this
- The Guardian notes Baldoni’s lawyers described the defendants as ‘very good people’ in statements to AP and TMZ, while ABC does not mention these specific statements
- ABC reports Baldoni’s comment ‘pretty hot’ and his alleged response about sexual harassment training, but the Guardian does not include this specific exchange
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