Blake Lively has spoken out for the first time following a significant ruling that dramatically narrowed her high-profile lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. On April 2, 2026, a federal judge in New York dismissed 10 of the 13 claims in Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation case tied to the 2024 film It Ends With Us. The decision, handed down by Judge Lewis Liman in a detailed 152-page opinion, tossed out the core allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy against Baldoni and several individual defendants.
Despite the setback, Lively and her legal team expressed optimism as the case heads toward a civil trial scheduled for May 18, 2026. Only three claims remain: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation. These surviving allegations focus primarily on Wayfarer Studios and associated PR entities rather than Baldoni personally. Lively’s team maintains that the heart of the matter — retaliation for speaking up about on-set safety — will still be presented to a jury.
In a statement shared via her Instagram Story on April 3, Lively addressed the ruling directly. “The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit,” she wrote, “but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others. I hope the Court’s decision shows others that, as unfathomably painful as it is, you can speak up.”
Her attorney, Sigrid McCawley, reinforced this message in a formal statement. “This case has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively’s reputation because she stood up for safety on the set and that is the case that is going to trial,” McCawley said. She added that Lively “looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight.”
The legal battle stems from the turbulent production of It Ends With Us, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel about domestic violence. Lively, who starred as Lily Bloom and also served as a producer, filed her lawsuit in late 2024, accusing Baldoni — who directed and co-starred as Ryle Kincaid — and his production company of creating a hostile work environment. She alleged inappropriate behavior on set and a subsequent smear campaign that damaged her public image.
Baldoni has consistently denied all allegations of misconduct. His team welcomed the judge’s decision to dismiss the sexual harassment claims and remove individual defendants from the case. Earlier, Baldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist was dismissed in 2025.
The ruling marks a pivotal moment in one of Hollywood’s most publicized celebrity disputes of recent years. While the dismissal of the harassment claims represents a clear victory for Baldoni’s side, Lively’s camp views the remaining retaliation-focused claims as the true essence of the case. Legal experts note that the trial will likely explore allegations of coordinated efforts to harm Lively’s reputation after she raised concerns about workplace safety.
As both parties prepare for the May trial, the case continues to spark widespread discussion about power dynamics, on-set conduct, and the role of public relations in celebrity conflicts. Supporters on both sides have flooded social media, turning the dispute into a broader conversation about accountability in the entertainment industry.
Lively, known for her roles in Gossip Girl and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, has remained relatively low-profile amid the legal proceedings while focusing on family life with Reynolds and their children. Her recent statement suggests she remains determined to see the case through, framing it as part of a larger effort to encourage others to speak up about workplace issues.
The narrowed lawsuit now centers less on personal misconduct claims and more on alleged professional retaliation. With the trial date approaching quickly, both Lively and Baldoni face intense scrutiny as the entertainment world watches to see how the remaining allegations play out in court. Whatever the outcome, the case has already highlighted the complex intersections of fame, film production, and legal accountability in modern Hollywood.
