A federal judge in New York has thrown out actor Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against actress Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times, marking a major legal victory for Lively.
The suit, part of a high-profile legal battle stemming from accusations of on-set sexual harassment during the filming of It Ends With Us, was dismissed on Monday by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman. The decision, delivered in a 132-page opinion, concluded that Baldoni failed to establish key legal standards, including actual malice and a basis for defamation.
A Legal Battle Rooted in a Hollywood Fallout
The conflict began in December 2024, when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department alleging Baldoni, who also directed It Ends With Us, sexually harassed her on set. Shortly after, The New York Times published a feature that explored the allegations and the ensuing PR battle.
Baldoni responded on December 31 with a sweeping countersuit, alleging that Lively and her team orchestrated a “false and damaging narrative” designed to ruin his reputation. He claimed he was the target of a calculated smear campaign, which he said led to him being dropped by his agent and publicly defamed.
The now-dismissed lawsuit also included a defamation claim against The New York Times, accusing the paper of selectively presenting messages and omitting crucial context to push Lively’s version of events.
Judge: Claims Were “Implausible” and Protected Speech
In his ruling, Judge Liman emphasized that many of the statements in question were legally protected and that Baldoni’s allegations lacked the specificity required to support a defamation claim.
“The alleged facts indicate that the Times reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatized manner, what it believed to have happened,” Liman wrote. “The Times had no obvious motive to favor Lively’s version of events.”
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As for the allegations against Lively and her associates, the judge stated, “Conclusory allegations that Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane engaged in a conspiracy to defame… cannot substitute for factual allegations.”
Lively’s original complaint, as well as her formal lawsuit, remains active. However, the judge previously ruled that she does not need to present evidence of emotional distress, narrowing the scope of the claims.
Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit against Blake Lively was dismissed by a federal judge in New York on Monday.
ABC News’ Linsey Davis has more. pic.twitter.com/oowJJbTVuA
— ABC News (@ABC) June 10, 2025
Lively’s Team Celebrates Dismissal
Attorneys for Lively, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, welcomed the ruling with a fiery statement.
“This is a total victory and complete vindication for Blake Lively,” they said. “As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it.”
They also stated their intention to pursue attorneys’ fees and punitive damages against Baldoni and his affiliates at Wayfarer Studios, which co-produced the film.
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The Role of Media in the Legal Saga
Much of Baldoni’s legal argument hinged on The New York Times article, titled “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine”. His lawyers claimed the publication relied on manipulated communications and biased reporting.
However, a spokesperson for the Times responded with confidence, saying, “We are grateful to the court for seeing the lawsuit for what it was: a meritless attempt to stifle honest reporting.”
“Our journalists covered carefully and fairly a story of public importance,” the statement continued. “The court recognized that the law is designed to protect just that sort of journalism.”
Fan Reactions: Hollywood Drama Meets Public Scrutiny
On social media, fans of both stars expressed strong opinions about the ruling. Some praised the decision as a win for accountability in the entertainment industry, while others questioned the motivations behind both lawsuits.
“Justin Baldoni isn’t innocent and to claim that he is shows you have no idea why Blake filed a lawsuit to begin with,” one user tweeted in response to someone claiming that Baldoni was an “innocent man” not vindicated.
Justin Baldoni isn’t innocent and to claim that he is shows you have no idea why Blake filed a lawsuit to begin with. https://t.co/xOxlewrGV0
— karlee (@cerisepcy) June 9, 2025
Others focused on the spectacle of the legal battle, comparing it to a real-life courtroom drama. “Told y’all Justin Baldoni has no case. It was a crappy filing from day 1 but y’all blindly hated Blake Lively and forgot the LEGAL SYSTEM doesn’t care about if Blake was a mean girl behind the scenes of gossip girl in 2008. Let’s get back to FACTS and less OPINION in 2025! ” another fan commented on X.
Told y’all Justin Baldoni has no case. It was a crappy filing from day 1 but y’all blindly hated Blake Lively and forgot the LEGAL SYSTEM doesn’t care about if Blake was a mean girl behind the scenes of gossip girl in 2008.
Let’s get back to FACTS and less OPINION in 2025! ❤️ https://t.co/fvMH2V6Hba
— 🐝Mel🐝 (@Tokyo_Gaming_) June 9, 2025
Supporters of Baldoni continued to voice skepticism, with some suggesting that Hollywood power dynamics played a role in shaping public perception.
Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit has been dismissed pic.twitter.com/FPcgCOJj0F
— A (@dollyhartz) June 9, 2025
What’s Next?
While Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit has been dismissed, he has until June 23 to amend and refile certain parts of his claims. Meanwhile, a separate trial related to Lively’s initial harassment allegations is scheduled for March 2026.
As legal teams on both sides prepare for the next phase, this case continues to shed light on the complex intersection of celebrity, reputation management, and the power of the press in shaping narratives within the entertainment industry.
