Topics: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Ryan Reynolds, News, Celebrity, US News
Blake Lively has spoken out after a judge dismissed a $400 million lawsuit she was facing.
In January, Justin Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios sued Lively and her Deadpool star husband, Ryan Reynolds, as well as their publicist and The New York Times, for $400 million.
He filed the suit to counter Lively's 2024 sexual harassment filing against him, but yesterday (June 9), a judge threw out the high-profile filing.
Sharing their reasoning for dismissing Baldoni's case, Judge Liman wrote (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.
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"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 concluded: "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, the judge allowed Baldoni to amend and refile his allegations regarding contract interference, and he was given a deadline of June 23 to do so.
Lively was all smiles while attending CHANEL's Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner at The Odeon last night following the news. The actor posed for snaps with fellow celebs like Allison Janney. But over on her Instagram Story, Lively addressed the judge's decision.
"Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organizations united in defending women's rights to speak up for their safety," the Another Simple Favor actor said.
"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 went on: "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."
The 37-year-old ended her statement with: "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 attorneys have also spoken out on the lawsuit being thrown out and branded Baldoni's filing 'a sham'.
"As we have said from day one, this '$400 million' lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it," they said.
"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."
UNILAD has previously reached out to Baldoni's representatives for comment.
