Topics: Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Celebrity, New York, Film and TV
Justin Baldoni has been reported as making a bold move as his former It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively gave her deposition in their ongoing legal battle.
The former Gossip Girl actor began her deposition in the highly publicized conflict with Baldoni on Thursday (July 31), with only legal representation, a court reporter and a videographer reported to be in attendance at the time.
It comes after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation following their work together on the 2024 drama movie, which Baldoni directed as well as starred in.
Baldoni later filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, as well as the couple's publicist, Leslie Sloane, and Sloane's public relations company, Vision PR. However, a New York judge dismissed the suit in June.
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Blake's deposition this week may be sealed under a protective order, however TMZ has now reported that there was at least one other person in the room when it happened - Baldoni himself.
Citing sources familiar with the situation, TMZ reported that Baldoni arrived at Lively's lawyer's office in New York City to watch the deposition unfold.
The small selection of people in attendance at the deposition marks a contrast from the way in which Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, had previously suggested it should unfold.
In a statement to People in May about the event, Freedman said: “Since Ms. Lively is open to testifying, let’s make it count. Hold the deposition at [Madison Square Garden], sell tickets or stream it, and donate every dollar to organizations helping victims of domestic abuse.”
Baldoni's legal team has stood firm on its stance that Lively's claims about Baldoni's behavior on the set of the movie are untrue, and after the judge dismissed his countersuit Freedman insisted they wouldn't give up.
Speaking to ABC News after the dismissal, the lawyer said: "Instead of revising the existing claims, our clients will be pursuing additional legal options that are available to us.
"The Court's decision on the motion to dismiss has no effect whatsoever on the truth that there was no harassment nor any smear campaign, and it does not in any way affect our vigorous defense against Ms. Lively's claims.
"Discovery is proceeding and we are confident that we will prevail against these factually baseless accusations."
A trial is set to take place in March 2026, with Freedman having already confirmed that Baldoni will take the stand to testify.
UNILAD has reached out to a representative for Baldoni for comment on his alleged attendance at the deposition.
