Blake Lively Vows to Fight On After Baldoni Harassment Claim Dismissed

Actress says she 'will never stop doing my part in fighting to expose the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims'.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 1:52am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of shattered glass and glittering sequins in dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the intense online backlash and 'digital violence' surrounding the legal battle between the two actors.The 'physical pain from digital violence' takes center stage as Blake Lively vows to continue her legal fight against co-star Justin Baldoni.NYC Today

Blake Lively has vowed to continue her legal battle against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, despite a judge dismissing the sexual harassment claim in her lawsuit. Lively said she will take the defamation and retaliation claims to trial starting on May 18, calling them the 'heart of my case'. The actress alleged that Baldoni and his team instigated an online smear campaign against her in 2024 ahead of the film's release.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges actors face in speaking out about alleged misconduct, with Lively accusing Baldoni's team of trying to silence her through retaliation and a coordinated online attack. The dismissal of the sexual harassment claim underscores the complexities of such cases, but Lively remains determined to expose what she sees as systemic issues in the industry.

The details

Despite texts and other communications that imply otherwise, Baldoni's team has denied unleashing a bot and digital campaign against Lively. However, the actress was widely criticized online, which she says was an attempt by Baldoni's side to preempt her from making public alleged misconduct on and around the production of It Ends With Us. The defamation and retaliation claims, which Lively called the 'heart of my case', will now go to trial on May 18 in New York.

  • In December 2024, Lively kicked off the messy legal matter against Baldoni.
  • On April 3, 2026, a judge dismissed the sexual harassment claim from Lively's lawsuit.
  • The trial for the remaining defamation and retaliation claims is set to begin on May 18, 2026.

The players

Blake Lively

An American actress who has alleged that her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni and his team instigated an online smear campaign against her.

Justin Baldoni

An American actor and filmmaker who co-starred with Lively in It Ends With Us. Lively has accused Baldoni and his team of retaliating against her and defaming her online.

Bryan Freedman

The attorney representing Baldoni in the legal battle with Lively.

Judge Lewis Liman

The judge who ordered the dismissal of the sexual harassment claim in Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Don't be distracted by the digital soap opera'”

— Blake Lively, Actress

“'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'”

— Blake Lively, Actress

“'The physical pain from digital violence is very real'”

— Blake Lively, Actress

What’s next

The trial for the defamation and retaliation claims against Baldoni is set to begin on May 18, 2026 in New York.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges actors face in speaking out about alleged misconduct, with Lively accusing Baldoni's team of trying to silence her through retaliation and a coordinated online attack. Despite the dismissal of the sexual harassment claim, Lively remains determined to expose what she sees as systemic issues in the industry.