Baldoni's Defamation Lawsuit Against Former Publicist Moves Forward

Judge rules Wayfarer's claims against Stephanie Jones can proceed, exposing more potential explosive messages.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:45pm

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In a legal battle that has already seen a flurry of lawsuits, federal Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Justin Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer, can move forward with its defamation lawsuit against former publicist Stephanie Jones. This decision opens the door for more potentially explosive messages and communications to be uncovered, including those between Jones and Blake Lively's publicist, Leslie Sloane, as well as Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds.

Why it matters

The ongoing legal saga between Baldoni and Lively has captivated Hollywood, with allegations of sex harassment, smear campaigns, and leaked text messages. This latest ruling means more details about the behind-the-scenes drama could soon be exposed, potentially shedding light on the complex dynamics at play.

The details

Wayfarer, Baldoni's production company, sued Jones, claiming she 'maliciously' leaked texts that sparked a series of lawsuits related to the 2024 box-office hit 'It Ends With Us.' The company alleges Jones badmouthed Baldoni to Lively's publicist, Sloane, and her husband, Reynolds. The text messages eventually led to a bombshell New York Times story that painted Baldoni as an alleged sex harasser who then retaliated against Lively for complaining about him.

  • On Thursday afternoon, federal Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against his former publicist, Stephanie Jones, can proceed.
  • About a month before the domestic violence-themed drama 'It Ends With Us' opened in 2024, publicist Jennifer Abel decided to leave Jones' firm, Jonesworks, and start her own company.

The players

Justin Baldoni

An actor and producer who is suing his former publicist, Stephanie Jones, for defamation.

Blake Lively

An actress who is suing Baldoni, as well as publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, in a separate lawsuit.

Stephanie Jones

Baldoni's former publicist who is being sued for defamation by Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer.

Leslie Sloane

Blake Lively's publicist, who may have been involved in communications with Jones.

Ryan Reynolds

Blake Lively's husband, who may have been involved in communications with Jones.

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What they’re saying

“The court rejected Stephanie Jones' effort to dismiss the case and will allow Wayfarer's claims, including defamation, to be tested on a full evidentiary record.”

— Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney

“These are not minor disputes. They are claims the court has found substantial enough to move forward into discovery... We are confident the full record will expose how these narratives were manufactured and why.”

— Wayfarer spokesperson

What’s next

The judge's ruling means that more potentially explosive messages and communications between the various parties involved in the legal battle could be uncovered during the discovery process, which could further expose the complex dynamics at play.

The takeaway

This latest development in the ongoing legal saga between Baldoni and Lively highlights the high-stakes, behind-the-scenes drama that can unfold in Hollywood, with allegations of sex harassment, smear campaigns, and leaked text messages at the center of a web of lawsuits.