Blake Lively's ongoing legal battle with director Justin Baldoni has taken a new turn, as the actress has sought to withdraw two claims against him. The claims pertained to intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and are part of a broader legal dispute that began when Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024. In her initial complaints, she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her during their collaboration on the film "It Ends With Us."
In response, Baldoni's legal team requested access to Lively's medical records, citing her claims of suffering from "severe emotional distress, pain, humiliation, and embarrassment." According to reports by Variety, Lively's motion to withdraw the distress claims has prompted the court to determine whether to dismiss the claims entirely or compel her to provide her mental health information.
Baldoni’s legal team mentioned in documents to the court that Lively's counsel had recently indicated that she would withdraw her emotional distress claims but refused to do so with prejudice, leaving the door open for the possibility of re-filing those claims in the future. In statements issued to Variety, Lively's representatives characterized Baldoni's legal maneuvers as a "press stunt" while asserting that they are streamlining her case amid escalating allegations.
Despite the withdrawals, Lively's lawyers maintain that she continues to assert claims regarding emotional distress alongside allegations of sexual harassment and other retaliatory actions, coupled with demands for significant compensatory damages. Baldoni has counter-sued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, with allegations that include civil extortion and defamation.
Just as they finished filming "It Ends With Us," Lively portrayed Lily Bloom, a character grappling with the aftermath of domestic abuse, reflecting themes relevant to her real-life legal struggles. In an unexpected development last month, pop artist Taylor Swift was called into the case after allegations surfaced that she had a role in encouraging script changes proposed by Lively. Swift's team rejected the claims promptly, asserting she had no involvement in the film's creative decisions, and the subpoena was later withdrawn.
As the legal proceedings continue, tension remains between Baldoni and Lively, with both sides bracing for further complexities in this high-profile case.
