In a notable development in the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, Lively has retracted her claims relating to emotional distress. The legal tussle began after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during their collaboration on the film "It Ends With Us." As the court evaluates the implications of these withdrawals, both parties prepare for continued litigation.
Blake Lively Withdraws Emotional Distress Claims Against Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively Withdraws Emotional Distress Claims Against Justin Baldoni
Actress Blake Lively has decided to drop two specific claims in her legal dispute with director Justin Baldoni, while the case unfolds following allegations of harassment.
Blake Lively, the well-known actress, has opted to withdraw two of the claims she made against director Justin Baldoni as they continue their legal dispute. The controversy between the two stems from their collaboration on the film "It Ends With Us," which was released last summer, and involves allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign initiated by Lively against Baldoni.
The actress initially sued Baldoni in December 2024, alleging that she experienced "severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, [and] embarrassment" due to his actions. In response, Baldoni's legal team filed a request for Lively to submit her medical records, specifically therapy notes, to substantiate her claims.
Recent reports indicate that Lively is seeking to withdraw claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Documented evidence from Baldoni's legal team stated that instead of providing the requested medical information, Lively's counsel had informed them of her intention to retract these specific claims. Nonetheless, Baldoni’s team noted that Lively did not agree to dismiss these claims with prejudice, which would prevent her from refiling them in the future.
In an official response, Lively's legal representatives dismissed Baldoni's filings as a "press stunt." They emphasized that their client remains focused on her case against Baldoni, which includes accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation, along with claims for substantial compensatory damages.
The altercation has escalated, as earlier this year Baldoni counter-sued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, for civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Their dispute has continued to gain attention and complications, particularly with recent implications involving pop star Taylor Swift, who was called to court after being alleged to have influenced script changes. Swift's team refuted these claims, leading to the eventual dismissal of her subpoena.
As the court prepares to address the future of Lively's withdrawn claims and Baldoni's counter-suit, the outcome remains uncertain. The ongoing situation raises important questions about the handling of sensitive claims within the entertainment industry and the implications on both personal and professional reputations.
