Blake Lively has addressed the public following the dismissal of a $400 million lawsuit she was involved in.
In January, Justin Baldoni, alongside his production company Wayfarer Studios, filed a lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times, seeking $400 million in damages.
The lawsuit was in response to Lively’s 2024 sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni. However, on June 9, a judge decided to dismiss the case.
Judge Liman explained the rationale for dismissing Baldoni’s lawsuit, stating via Fox News: “The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her CRD complaint, which are privileged.
“The Wayfarer Parties have alleged that Reynolds and [publicist Leslie] Sloane made additional statements accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and that the Times made additional statements accusing the Wayfarer Parties of engaging in a smear campaign.”
The judge further noted: “But the Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the Times would have seriously doubted these statements were true based on the information available to them, as is required for them to be liable for defamation under applicable law.”
According to The Independent, Baldoni has been given the opportunity to amend and refile his allegations concerning contract interference, with a deadline of June 23.
Following the news, Lively attended CHANEL’s Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner at The Odeon, where she was seen smiling and posing with celebrities like Allison Janney. On her Instagram Story, Lively shared her thoughts on the judge’s decision.
“Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organizations united in defending women’s rights to speak up for their safety,” remarked the Another Simple Favor actor.
“Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us. While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.”
Lively continued: “I’m more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves, including their safety, their integrity, their dignity and their story.”
Concluding her statement, the 37-year-old said: “With love and gratitude for the many who stood by me, many of you I know. Many of you I don’t. But I will never stop appreciating or advocating for you.”
Lively’s legal team also commented on the dismissal, labeling Baldoni’s lawsuit ‘a sham.’
“As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it,” they stated.
“We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, [Steve] Sarowitz, [Melissa] Nathan and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”