Blake Lively speaks out after judge dismisses Justin Baldoni case: 'Your support keeps me going'
Blake Lively has broken her silence after a judge dismissed the majority of her claims against Justin Baldoni over the movie It Ends With Us. Despite it, she is still "grateful" to be able to present to a jury in May.
"I'm grateful for the Court's ruling which allows the heart of my case to be presented to a jury next month, and for the ability to finally tell my story in full at trial," she wrote on her Instagram stories.
"The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others," she continued.
Lively hopes that her journey will show others that it's okay to speak up. She also reminded the public not to be "distracted by the digital soap opera," admitting that the "physical pain from digital violence is very real."
"It is abuse. And it's everywhere. Not just in the news, but in your communities and schools," she said.
She warned of the "extreme dangers of retaliation and digital warfare," urging the public to stay vigilant against the "ways we can be manipulated online."
"Digital manipulation has been boasted as 'untraceable.' If you have kids on phones, they are some of the most vulnerable. Protect them. Have conversations with them," she said, citing studies of women being abused online or stalked.
"So much critical work has already been done to expose systems, tactics and players who harm. The work to create more safety is in part at trial, but it will also will continue far after this trial is over. This is the work I'm most proud of," the actress continued.
"I couldn't begin to stand up if not for the countless who've gone before me—and the masses who are still around us all—creating laws, social change, sparking conversations, rallying, working privately and publicly, risking and sometimes losing everything for the safety of others in all spaces. Some whose names we know, most we don't. Thank you. All of you," she said.
Lively said that she will continue exposing the systems and the "people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims."
"I know it's a privilege to be able to stand up. I will not waste it. Your support keeps me going," she ended.
The legal battle between the two actors began in December 2024, when Lively accused Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath of sexual harassment and running a smear campaign against her.
Baldoni later filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and a $250 million one against The New York Times over its article, 'We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine. The cases were dismissed in June.
The actor-director asked a US judge to dismiss Lively's lawsuit against him last November 2025.
In April 3, Lively’s sexual harassment claims were dismissed by a federal judge who left intact three claims, including retaliation, that will let a jury hear many of the allegations.
Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, said in a statement sent to TMZ that the "defendants were not afraid of the truth." He also maintained the innocence of the defendants.
"It is gratifying to see that the courts' ruling confirms what the legal team believed from day one," Freedman said.
Baldoni's lawyer 'does not understand the court's actual ruling'
Following this, Lively's legal team called out Freedman, who they said is not able to comprehend the Court's ruling.
"He didn't even argue the summary judgment motion he's now spinning, had to bring in another law firm for the trial, and just last week was reprimanded by the court for having filed legally frivolous claims," Atty. Mike Gottlieb's statement read.
Gottlieb stressed the Court's decision, which was for Lively has provided "sufficient" evidence to go on trial for the claims: "that she spoke out against what she believed was sexual harassment on the set, and suffered retaliation that harmed her reputation as a result."
He emphasized that the ruling was about jurisdiction and status, not a vindication of the defendants. The claims were dismissed because Lively was considered an independent contractor and the alleged incidents took place in New Jersey, making them ineligible for trial under California law.
"The fact that Bryan Freedman is claiming exoneration based on legal technicalities while facing trial next month tells you everything you need to know," Gottlieb said.
"The retaliation Ms. Lively faced for privately speaking up for a safe working environment has always been the beating heart of her case. It is why she filed her lawsuit. The Court found ample evidence to move her case forward," he noted, saying they are looking forward to the May 18 trial.