Actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reached a settlement Monday in the lawsuit filed by the performer against her ‘It Ends With Us’ castmate in 2024.
Lively and Baldoni settled their legal dispute after a hearing today in a New York court, and with their decision they avoid facing each other in a trial that was initially scheduled for May 18.
The actress, who rose to fame for her role as Serena van der Woodsen in the series ‘Gossip Girl’, sued Baldoni in 2024 for inappropriate behavior during the filming of ‘It ends with us’ and for allegedly conducting a retaliatory smear campaign.
The judge in charge of the case, Lewis J. Liman, last April dismissed most of Lively’s charges, including those of harassment, defamation and conspiracy, but upheld those of breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting retaliation.
Liman then indicated that Lively was relying on a California sexual harassment law when the events she accused her partner of allegedly took place in New Jersey, at a studio where some scenes for ‘It Ends With Us’ were filmed.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reach agreement: no trial
Baldoni, 42, who in addition to starring in the film also directed it, has from the beginning denied his co-star’s accusations.
In addition, the actor filed a countersuit last year against the actress and another against The New York Times for an article related to the case, but the judge dismissed both lawsuits shortly thereafter.
According to NBC News, lawyers for both actors issued a joint statement today highlighting that “the end result” of the film – which revolves around gender-based violence – “is a source of pride for all of us who worked to make it a reality.”
“Raising awareness and having a meaningful impact on the lives of survivors of gender-based violence is a goal we strongly advocate for,” wrote attorneys Bryan Freedman, Ellyn Garofalo, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson.
The lawyers further acknowledged that “the concerns raised” by Lively “deserved to be heard,” and said they were committed “to creating work environments free of irregularities and unproductive environments.”
Neither the court nor the defense of both celebrities have disclosed the terms of the agreement, reported Agencia EFE.
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