Blake Lively has filed a federal lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and multiple public relations firms, alleging sexual harassment, defamation, and a coordinated smear campaign during the production of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends With Us.” The actress is seeking more than $160 million in damages, citing lost acting roles and business opportunities tied to her brand ventures.
Lively first filed a civil rights complaint with the California Civil Rights Department before bringing her case to New York federal court. She alleges that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath subjected her and others to invasive, unprofessional, and sexually inappropriate conduct on set. Additionally, she claims Baldoni’s publicity team launched a “sophisticated media and digital” campaign that amounted to defamation.
The defendants include Heath and Wayfarer co-founder Steve Sarowitz; Melissa Nathan of The Agency Group PR (TAG); Jennifer Abel of RWA Communications; and Jed Wallace of Street Relations Inc. Lively is claiming damages for sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and lost wages.
Creative control dispute, false narratives
Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a countersuit on January 16, 2025, against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. He claims Lively and Reynolds sought to deploy false harassment narratives, wrestle creative control of the film, secure Lively’s preferred cut, and push him out of editing, scoring, and promotional decisions.
One widely reported incident involved a visit to Lively and Reynolds’ New York City penthouse, where singer Taylor Swift and Reynolds reportedly pushed for Blake’s editorial changes.
If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones, you’ll appreciate hat I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually for better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for.
Blake Lively to Justin Baldoni in a now-infamous (alleged) text message during filming
Baldoni also sued The New York Times for libel over its reporting on Lively’s initial complaint. PR representative Jed Wallace separately sued Lively for defamation. However, a federal judge has formally entered final judgment ending Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times after the defendants missed a filing deadline. The New York Times’ separate suit against Wayfarer Studios to recover approximately $150,000 in legal fees remains active.
$160M in damages breakdown
Lively’s damages claim includes:
- At least $56.2 million in lost past and future income from acting, producing, speaking gigs, and endorsements
- $49 million for her beauty line Blake Brown
- $22 million for her ventures Betty Buzz and Betty Booze
The New York Times and Lively’s lawyers are pursuing motions to recoup legal fees and potentially seek punitive damages from Baldoni under California’s anti-SLAPP law.
Settlement unlikely
The primary trial, originally set for March 2026, has been pushed to May 18 due to the court’s criminal case backlog. A virtual settlement conference was scheduled for December 15, 2025, but sources close to both sides say settlement is highly unlikely as Lively is determined to have her “day in court.” On January 22, 2026, both sides will present oral arguments on Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment.
Public backlash over promotion of domestic violence film
Lively has faced widespread public criticism for her promotional campaign around the film, which centers on domestic violence and generational trauma. Critics deemed her tactics tonally inappropriate, including a social media post urging fans to “grab your friends, wear your florals,” heavy promotion of her and Reynolds’ booze lines, and the launch of her haircare brand Blake Brown during the press tour.
The commercial, upbeat vibe clashed with Baldoni’s focus on abuse awareness and resources. Domestic abuse survivor Ashley Paige told the BBC that Lively’s approach was akin to promoting a “Barbie sequel.” Lively also faced backlash for past interview behavior, including a viral YouTube video by journalist Kjersti Flaa titled “The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job.”
The controversy has overshadowed the original book and film. Author Colleen Hoover told Elle Magazine she was “embarrassed to say (she) wrote the book”.
I can’t even recommend it anymore. I feel like [the lawsuit] has overshadowed it… I’m almost embarrassed to say I wrote it. When people ask what I do, I’m just like, ‘I’m a writer. Please don’t ask me what I wrote.’
Colleen Hoover in an interview with Elle Magazine
100+ witnesses named including Taylor Swift
Over 100 potential witnesses have been listed in unsealed court documents, including Taylor Swift, Emily Blunt, Gigi Hadid, Hugh Jackman, and the HAIM sisters. Multiple entertainment outlets have reported that Swift and Lively’s friendship appears to have fractured over the lawsuit, triggered by the now-infamous “Dragons” text message.
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