Blake Lively recently shared insights into the challenging year she’s experienced due to her ongoing legal issues with Justin Baldoni.
Lively and Baldoni, who both appeared in the 2024 film “It Ends With Us” based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, have been involved in legal disputes.
The “A Simple Favor” actress initiated a lawsuit in December of the previous year, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment. She also alleged that Baldoni and his team engaged in a smear campaign against her.
Initially, Lively filed a civil complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20, before escalating the matter to federal court on December 31.
Subsequently, Baldoni responded by launching a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
This legal battle has led to numerous exchanges between the stars’ legal teams, prompting a judge to caution them about their public relations strategies, as reported by PEOPLE in February.
Though both Lively and Baldoni have maintained a relatively low profile in recent months, Lively made her first talk show appearance since the legal issues began.
Lively’s latest film, “Another Simple Favor,” premiered on Prime Video on May 1, and she has been on a promotional tour for it.
During an interview with Seth Meyers, Lively reflected on the difficulties she has encountered this year, subtly referencing her legal challenges with Baldoni. You can watch a segment of the interview here:
Meyers remarked on her ‘pretty intense year,’ saying: “I imagine you’re in a situation where you can’t say much [about the intense year].”
Lively responded, “Yeah, I mean, what I can say without going too much into it is that this year has been full of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life.”
She continued, “And I see so many women around, afraid to speak — especially right now — afraid to share their experiences. And fear is by design.”
“It’s what keeps us silent. But I also acknowledge that many people don’t have the opportunity to speak. So I do feel fortunate that I’ve been able to.”
The “Gossip Girl” star added, “It’s the women who have had the ability to use their voice that’s kept me strong and helped me in my belief and my fight for the world to be safer for women and girls.”
The trial involving Lively and Baldoni is scheduled to take place in March 2026.