The actress, who initially sued Baldoni for sexual harassment and emotional distress in December 2024, has sought to drop claims related to emotional distress while her legal battle continues to evolve.
**Blake Lively Withdraws Emotional Distress Claims Against Justin Baldoni**
**Blake Lively Withdraws Emotional Distress Claims Against Justin Baldoni**
Blake Lively has retracted two claims from her lawsuit against director Justin Baldoni, amid ongoing legal disputes stemming from their collaboration on "It Ends With Us."
Blake Lively, renowned for her role in "It Ends With Us," is stepping back from two emotional distress claims against director Justin Baldoni. The development marks a significant shift in her ongoing legal dispute, which began after the film's release in summer 2024. Lively’s lawsuit accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and engaged him in a counter-suit that includes allegations of civil extortion and defamation.
Lively's legal team indicated the withdrawal of her claims related to "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and "negligent infliction of emotional distress." According to reports from Variety, Baldoni's legal team has documented that Lively’s counsel informed them of the retraction in writing. However, they expressed concern about the lack of finality since Lively refused their request for the withdrawal to be "with prejudice," suggesting she might refile the claims in the future.
Her attorneys characterized Baldoni's move to disclose the withdrawal as a "press stunt," emphasizing that they are "streamlining" their case in the face of responding tactics from Baldoni's lawyers. They maintained that Lively still alleges emotional distress as part of broader claims, including sexual harassment and retaliation, and that they plan to pursue substantial damages.
The legal exchange follows a complex series of accusations since Lively starred in "It Ends With Us," a film adapted from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, where she portrayed Lily Bloom, a young woman caught in a cycle of domestic abuse.
In January, Baldoni counter-sued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, claiming civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Amid these disputes, Taylor Swift was indirectly drawn into the legal fray when a subpoena alleged her influence over script changes in the film. Swift's legal team successfully objected to the order, labeling it as an unwarranted pursuit of information.
With the court set to decide the future of the withdrawn claims and whether to enforce the disclosure of Lively's medical records, the situation remains fluid, drawing significant media attention as both parties navigate this contentious legal landscape.
Lively's legal team indicated the withdrawal of her claims related to "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and "negligent infliction of emotional distress." According to reports from Variety, Baldoni's legal team has documented that Lively’s counsel informed them of the retraction in writing. However, they expressed concern about the lack of finality since Lively refused their request for the withdrawal to be "with prejudice," suggesting she might refile the claims in the future.
Her attorneys characterized Baldoni's move to disclose the withdrawal as a "press stunt," emphasizing that they are "streamlining" their case in the face of responding tactics from Baldoni's lawyers. They maintained that Lively still alleges emotional distress as part of broader claims, including sexual harassment and retaliation, and that they plan to pursue substantial damages.
The legal exchange follows a complex series of accusations since Lively starred in "It Ends With Us," a film adapted from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, where she portrayed Lily Bloom, a young woman caught in a cycle of domestic abuse.
In January, Baldoni counter-sued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, claiming civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Amid these disputes, Taylor Swift was indirectly drawn into the legal fray when a subpoena alleged her influence over script changes in the film. Swift's legal team successfully objected to the order, labeling it as an unwarranted pursuit of information.
With the court set to decide the future of the withdrawn claims and whether to enforce the disclosure of Lively's medical records, the situation remains fluid, drawing significant media attention as both parties navigate this contentious legal landscape.
