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 in Manhattan dismissed the majority of Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni, leaving only retaliation and breach of contract allegations for trial on May 18, 2025. The ruling hinged on Lively’s status as an independent contractor, preventing her from pursuing claims under Title VII, and contextualized Baldoni’s conduct as part of a slow-dancing scene in *It Ends With Us*, a 2024 film grossing over $350 million. Both sides have accused each other of misconduct, with Baldoni’s legal team calling the defendants ‘very good people’ and Lively’s attorney framing the dismissal as a procedural win. The case has exposed private exchanges between Lively and celebrities, amplifying public scrutiny of their feud. While most claims were rejected, the trial will focus on whether Baldoni orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign against Lively after the film’s release.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A federal judge in Manhattan (Lewis Liman) dismissed 10 of 13 claims in Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, including sexual harassment, conspiracy, and defamation claims, leaving only three claims (retaliation, breach of contract, and aiding/abetting retaliation) for trial starting May 18, 2025.
- Judge Liman ruled Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee, so she could not bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- The case involves the 2024 film *It Ends With Us*, a romantic drama-turned-domestic-violence adaptation directed by Justin Baldoni and starring Blake Lively, which grossed over $350 million worldwide.
- Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios countersued Lively and Ryan Reynolds in June 2024, alleging defamation and extortion, but their claims were dismissed by Judge Liman last June.
- Lively alleged Baldoni engaged in unwanted physical contact (e.g., kissing her forehead, rubbing his face against her neck, saying ‘it smells good’) and inappropriate comments (e.g., ‘pretty hot’ after asking her to remove her jacket).
- Judge Liman noted Baldoni was ‘acting in the scene’ and that the conduct was part of a slow-dancing sequence, limiting liability for sexual harassment claims.
- The trial is scheduled for May 18, 2025, following mediation failure in April 2025.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Judge Liman’s ruling cited specific instances where Baldoni allegedly made comments like ‘it smells good’ after touching Lively’s neck, volunteered his past porn addiction, and pushed for a naked birth scene without proper set closure.
- Baldoni’s countersuit against Lively and Reynolds was dismissed in June 2024, with Judge Liman stating Lively was an independent contractor.
- Lively’s lawsuit included allegations Baldoni rolled his eyes and said ‘Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training’ after being warned about inappropriate comments.
- The judge referenced a phone conference after the ruling where lawyers discussed jury selection for the May 18 trial.
- Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman called the defendants ‘very good people’ who ‘have not engaged in this sexual harassment as alleged’ and claimed the ruling ‘confirms what the legal team believed from day one.’
- Lively’s attorney Mike Gottlieb stated the court’s dismissal was ‘about legal issues rather than an endorsement of the defendants’ conduct,’ citing Lively’s independent contractor status and jurisdiction issues.
- The Guardian noted the case has exposed private messages between Lively and celebrities like Taylor Swift, where Lively called Baldoni the ‘doofus director of my movie.’
- Former lawyer Matthew Belloni commented the litigation ‘hurts both’ Lively and Baldoni, prolonging the fallout.
- The Guardian emphasized the ruling narrows Lively’s case to retaliation claims, focusing on Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign against her post-release.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports Baldoni allegedly said ‘Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training’ after being warned, but this detail is not mentioned in The Guardian’s articles.
- The Guardian’s first article states Baldoni’s lawyer called the ruling ‘gratifying’ and claimed defendants ‘have not engaged in the sexual harassment of Blake Lively,’ while ABC does not include this direct quote from Baldoni’s legal team.
- ABC notes Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million defamation claim against Lively and Reynolds in June 2024, but The Guardian’s first article does not specify the exact amount of the countersuit.
- The Guardian’s first article highlights Lively’s private messages to Taylor Swift as evidence of tension, while ABC does not reference these texts in its coverage.
- ABC states the movie grossed $50 million at debut ($72 million total), while The Guardian reports $350 million worldwide (no debut figure specified).
Source Articles
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