Justin Baldoni addresses legal battle with Blake Lively after settlement

Justin Baldoni addresses legal battle with Blake Lively after settlement

Justin Baldoni has broken a nearly two-year silence regarding the legal conflict with his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively. In an Instagram video shared Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Baldoni and his wife, Emily, described the period as one filled with injustice and trauma.

The filmmaker explained that while the couple had often wanted to speak publicly, something was telling us not to until now. He stated that the family chose to let the justice system run its course rather than adding to the noise created by so many painful things that have been spoken into existence.

Emily Baldoni noted that their current feeling of gratitude doesn't negate the injustice and the pain they experienced. She questioned how such a situation could happen, specifically describing it as being disguised as a fight for women.

The Legal Saga

The dispute grew from the production of the 2024 film It Ends With Us, based on the Colleen Hoover novel. Rumors of friction first emerged during the film's press tour, where Baldoni promoted the project separately from Lively and the rest of the cast. The film eventually grossed more than $350 million worldwide.

The conflict escalated in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint and federal lawsuit alleging that Baldoni sexually harassed her on set and orchestrated a campaign to damage her reputation after she raised concerns. Baldoni denied these claims.

In January 2025, Baldoni launched a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, her publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane's PR firm. He alleged defamation, extortion, and a breach of contract, claiming the pair attempted to destroy his career and seize control of the movie. That lawsuit was later dismissed.

U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman eventually dismissed 10 of Lively's 13 original claims, including all defamation and sexual harassment charges. The judge ruled that because Lively worked as an independent contractor rather than an employee, certain California employment law protections did not apply to the New Jersey production. Only three claims remained: retaliation, breach of contract, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.

The Settlement and Aftermath

On May 4, 2026, lawyers announced a confidential settlement that averted a New York trial scheduled for May 18. A joint statement from both sides described the film as a source of pride and acknowledged that concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard.

The terms of the settlement vary by report. Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, called the result a total victory, stating in a May 8 filing that Lively dismissed her remaining claims without the Wayfarer Defendants paying a cent of the $300 million she sought. Conversely, Lively's lawyers, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, stated the decision puts those using lawsuits as weapon of intimidation on notice.

Financial obligations remain. In June, a federal judge ruled that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios must pay Lively's attorney fees stemming from the dismissed defamation suit. While the judge rejected a bid for punitive damages on June 12, Lively's team is seeking $7,495,526.87 in fees and $539,514.01 in expenses. Baldoni is contesting this request.

Moving Forward

Baldoni, who has reportedly relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, has largely retreated from Hollywood and has not announced new projects since the lawsuit began. He had not posted on Instagram since June 2025 prior to Wednesday's video.

In the video, Baldoni credited his faith and community for their support, stating that the ordeal led him and his wife, whom he married in July 2013, to become closer, more devoted, and steadfast in our faith.

While Emily Baldoni hinted that there is so much more to say in the future, the couple said they are currently focusing on their children and healing.

The legal chapter remains slightly open; Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have until Monday, July 13, to either accept Lively's fee request or formally challenge it.