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By Gabe Whisnant
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A federal judge in New York sharply narrowed Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, allowing only a small number of claims to proceed while dismissing the majority of her case.
In a ruling issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman threw out 10 of the 13 claims Lively brought against Baldoni, her co‑star and director on the film It Ends With Us. The dismissed claims included allegations of harassment, defamation and conspiracy, the judge said. Liman ruled that those claims failed as a matter of law or lacked sufficient legal basis to move forward.
However, the judge allowed three claims to proceed to trial, including allegations of breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting retaliation. Those remaining claims center on Lively’s assertion that Baldoni and related parties took retaliatory action after she raised concerns about the work environment on the film, which was released in 2024.
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In a statement to the Associated Press, Lively attorney Sigrid McCawley wrote that Lively “looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it become easier to detect and fight.”
She added: “This case has always been and will remain focused on the devasting 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.”
Lawyers for Baldoni have not commented on the ruling.
Blake Lively‑Justin Baldoni Lawsuit: What to Know
Lively sued Baldoni and related parties in late 2024 over her experience working on the film It Ends With Us, alleging misconduct during production and retaliation afterward. The lawsuit named Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios and others, claiming they created a hostile work environment and later took steps to damage her reputation after she raised concerns.
The case has drawn significant attention in Hollywood and beyond, complicated by countersuits and parallel litigation stemming from media coverage of the dispute. A federal judge’s ruling issued Thursday sharply narrowed the scope of Lively’s claims ahead of a trial expected later this year.
The case, which has drawn widespread attention in Hollywood, remains on track for trial later this year unless the parties reach a settlement.
Which Claims Did the Judge Toss Out?
In a ruling issued Thursday, Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 claims brought by Lively. The dismissed claims included allegations of harassment, defamation and conspiracy, with the judge finding they failed as a matter of law or lacked sufficient legal basis to move forward.
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman said Blake Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee, and therefore was not entitled to bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars workplace discrimination.
Liman said some evidence could allow a jury to find that retaliation occurred after Lively raised concerns, including allegations that Baldoni’s production company sought to damage her reputation out of fear she might pursue a discrimination claim. The judge noted Lively’s assertion that an alleged smear campaign had been “devastating for her reputation and career.”
Addressing the dismissed harassment claims, Liman said the allegations had to be evaluated in the context of the film It Ends With Us. Lively alleged that during filming Baldoni leaned toward her as if to kiss her, kissed her forehead, rubbed his face and mouth against her neck, touched her lips and commented on her scent.
While the judge said the alleged conduct could support a hostile work environment claim in a traditional workplace, he wrote that Baldoni was “acting in the scene” and that, even if the behavior was improvised, it was not so far beyond what might reasonably be expected during a slow‑dancing scene to support an inference of sex‑based harassment. “At least in isolation, the conduct was directed to Lively’s character rather than to Lively herself,” Liman wrote, adding that creative artists must have leeway to experiment within agreed‑upon scripts.
Still, Liman said some of Lively’s allegations could be presented to a jury in support of two retaliation claims that survived the ruling, as well as a breach of contract claim involving a rider agreement. The judge cited allegations that Baldoni made inappropriate comments about Lively’s appearance, pushed for a nude birth scene filmed without closing the set, and disclosed personal remarks to others on set.
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What Is Wayfarer Studios?
Wayfarer Studios is the production company co‑founded by Baldoni and was responsible for producing It Ends With Us, the 2024 film at the center of the dispute. The company is named as a defendant in Lively’s lawsuit and plays a central role in the claims that survived the judge’s ruling.
Judge Liman ruled that Lively may pursue retaliation‑related claims against Wayfarer, meaning the company’s alleged conduct after Lively raised concerns remains at issue. Baldoni and Wayfarer have denied wrongdoing, saying their actions amounted to lawful responses to public allegations.
When Was Baldoni’s Case Against Lively Dismissed?
Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios countersued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, alleging defamation and extortion. A judge dismissed Baldoni’s claims in June.
Judge Liman ruled that Baldoni failed to meet the legal standards required to proceed, clearing those claims from the litigation and leaving Lively’s narrowed lawsuit as the primary remaining legal action between the two actors.
Updates: 4/2/26, 7:15 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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