Blake Lively's sexual harassment suit against Justin Baldoni gutted by judge

A judge has dismissed most of Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni. This reshaped the lawsuit ahead of trial, but key allegations still remain.

In Short

• Judge dismissed 10 of 13 claims in Lively’s lawsuit
• Three claims remain for trial including breach of contract and retaliation
• Lively accused Baldoni of unwelcome comments about appearance and weight

Actor Blake Lively’s legal battle against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni has taken a significant turn after a judge dismissed the majority of her sexual harassment claims. The ruling, delivered by Judge Lewis Liman, narrows the scope of the high-profile lawsuit just weeks before it is set to go to trial.

Out of 13 claims filed by Blake Lively, 10 have been thrown out, including key allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy against Justin Baldoni. The case will now proceed with only three claims: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation.

Why were the sexual harassment claims dismissed?

The court ruled that Lively could not pursue a federal sexual harassment claim because she was working as an independent contractor during the film’s production. Additionally, California law — cited in her complaint — was deemed inapplicable, as filming took place in New Jersey.

Lively had alleged that Baldoni made inappropriate comments about her appearance and weight on set. However, the judge found that the legal framework required to support those claims was not met under the circumstances presented.

What claims are still going to trial?

Despite the setback, parts of the lawsuit remain intact. The court has allowed claims related to retaliation to proceed, including allegations that Baldoni and his associates orchestrated a campaign to damage Lively’s reputation.

Lively’s legal team has argued that the trial will now centre on alleged efforts to discredit her after she raised concerns about workplace safety. These claims, along with breach of contract, are expected to be heard by a jury in the upcoming trial.

What have both sides said?

Lawyers representing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios welcomed the decision, stating that the dismissal significantly reduces the scope of the case. They maintained that the remaining claims are limited and expressed confidence in defending them in court.

Meanwhile, Lively’s team emphasised that the case is far from over, pointing to what they describe as coordinated retaliation and online smear efforts.

The dispute stems from the 2024 film It Ends With Us, which grossed USD 350 million globally but was marred by reports of tension between its leads. Hollywood/story/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-fail-to-settle-trial-set-for-may-2026-2866964-2026-02-12" target="_blank">After a failed mediation attempt in February, the case is now headed for trial in May.

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