Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni is very much alive. As of March 2026, it is heading toward a trial date of May 18, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The case started in December 2024. It involves sexual harassment allegations, a coordinated smear campaign, and a web of emails, text messages, and celebrity depositions that turned one of Hollywood’s biggest films into its most contentious legal fight.
This article breaks down every layer of the case. You’ll find out who is being sued, what the emails revealed, what happened to Baldoni’s countersuit, and where things stand in 2026.
One number tells you how serious this got. Lively’s positive public sentiment dropped from 81 percent in March 2023 to just 10.6 percent by January 2026. Both sides have paid an enormous public price. Shannon Sharpe Lawsuit
What Is the Blake Lively Lawsuit?
The Blake Lively lawsuit is a federal sexual harassment and retaliation case filed against director Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
Lively, 38, claims Baldoni, 42, sexually harassed her on the set of the 2024 film It Ends With Us. She also alleges that after she raised concerns, Baldoni and his team launched a coordinated media campaign to destroy her reputation.
The case is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under case number 1:24-cv-10049. It was originally assigned to Judge Lewis J. Liman and Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. Shannon Sharpe Lawsuit
| Key Case Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Case Name | Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC |
| Case Number | 1:24-cv-10049 |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Southern District of NY |
| Filed | December 31, 2024 |
| Trial Date | May 18, 2026 |
| Presiding Judge | Lewis J. Liman |
This is not a class action. It is a civil lawsuit filed by one plaintiff: Blake Lively. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, not a fixed settlement fund.
Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: How It Started
The dispute traces back to the production of It Ends With Us, a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling domestic violence novel.
Baldoni directed the film and starred in it. Lively starred and produced. The film grossed $347 million worldwide, making it a commercial success. But behind the scenes, tensions escalated throughout filming and into the press tour.
Fans noticed Baldoni’s absence from the promotional tour. Lively’s social media throughout the press run struck many observers as tone-deaf against the film’s domestic violence themes.
Lively first filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20, 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of It Ends With Us, as well as retaliation after she raised issues about his on-set behavior.
On December 31, 2024, she filed a federal civil lawsuit against Baldoni. That lawsuit named multiple defendants from Baldoni’s inner circle.
Key Takeaway: The lawsuit grew out of on-set conduct during It Ends With Us, filed first as a state complaint and then escalated to federal court just eleven days later.
The Blake Lively Lawsuit Explained: Full Legal Breakdown
The Blake Lively lawsuit covers two main legal claims: sexual harassment and retaliation.
On the harassment side, Lively says Baldoni engaged in a pattern of unwanted conduct during production. On the retaliation side, she says that once she raised those concerns, his team mounted a professional operation designed to ruin her career.
Lively’s amended complaint, filed in February 2025, alleges that there was a “multi-tiered plan” by Baldoni and his team to destroy her reputation.
Lively’s legal team claimed that Wayfarer and its associates violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her after she reported sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns.
The complaint is detailed. Lively detailed 12 specific incidents, four witnesses, and requested damages as well as a public apology.
| Claim Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Sexual Harassment | On-set conduct, unwanted physical advances, inappropriate comments |
| Retaliation | Coordinated PR smear campaign after she raised concerns |
| Defamation | Added in February 2025 amended complaint |
| Legal Basis | Federal law, California FEHA |
The amended complaint, filed February 9, 2025, ran 163 pages. It added a new defamation claim and expanded corroboration from unnamed witnesses.
The Allegations: Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni
Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni spells out specific incidents on the It Ends With Us set.
Lively’s attorneys argued that Baldoni violated company policy by oversharing about his sex life, talking about his porn addiction, and pushing for intimate scenes that she was not comfortable with.
Her breaking point came when Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath, unprompted, showed her a video of his wife giving birth. “I think the actions that I’m describing are pretty obviously sexual harassment,” Lively said in her deposition.
One on-camera incident stands out. During a bar scene on set, Baldoni told Lively she looked “pretty hot,” then said “sexy” in mock self-correction, adding, “Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training.” That interaction was captured on video.
Specific Alleged Incidents Include:
- Inserting an unwanted sex scene without her consent
- Asking invasive questions about her sex life with Ryan Reynolds
- Oversharing details about his own sex life and personal history
- Sustained inappropriate physical conduct
The statement also accused Baldoni of initiating unwelcome physical advances, asserting that when Lively or others avoided his touch, both Baldoni and Heath retaliated by becoming cold and uncooperative.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Lawsuit: Full Case Details
The full case is bigger than two people. Lively’s complaint names six defendants beyond Baldoni himself.
She named Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel. Co-founder Steve Sarowitz and The Agency Group PR were also named.
Lively’s legal team was led by attorney Mike Gottlieb. Baldoni’s defense team is led by attorney Bryan Freedman.
In February 2025, Blake Lively filed a 163-page amended complaint in New York, updating her initial complaint with “significant additional evidence and corroboration of her original claims,” as well as “a new claim for defamation.”
| Defendant | Role |
|---|---|
| Justin Baldoni | Director, Co-Star |
| Jamey Heath | Wayfarer Studios CEO |
| Steve Sarowitz | Wayfarer Studios Co-Founder |
| Melissa Nathan | Publicist (The Agency Group PR) |
| Jennifer Abel | Publicist (Jonesworks) |
| Wayfarer Studios LLC | Production Company |
| It Ends With Us Movie LLC | Film Entity |
A Sony executive VP of production called Lively a “f–king terrorist” in an email to Wayfarer’s Heath over Lively’s threats to leave the project. Sony was not named as a defendant.
Key Takeaway: The case involves at least seven named defendants across two studios and two PR firms, with Sony executives appearing in documents but not named in the suit. Cash App Class Action Settlement
Who Is Jamey Heath and Why Is He Named in the Lawsuit?
Jamey Heath is the CEO of Wayfarer Studios and one of the central defendants in the Blake Lively lawsuit.
Her breaking point came when Heath, unprompted, showed her a video of his wife giving birth during production. Lively described this as a form of harassment. Baldoni’s team called it a beautiful moment shared with consent for the film.
The judge sided with Lively on the video question. Judge Liman ordered Heath to turn over the full birthing video, writing that his team “should have produced” the additional footage that went beyond what Heath claimed he had shown Lively.
Heath also played a direct role in the alleged smear campaign. Emails revealed communications between Baldoni’s publicist Melissa Nathan, Heath, and crisis consultant Jed Wallace discussing strategy for a “press and digital plan.”
Co-star Jenny Slate wrote to her agent on May 27, 2023, that “Justin and Jamey are truly unfit” and that she felt “repulsed and deeply irritated” by Baldoni’s comment about her body, adding that Lively was experiencing things “on a much more serious level.”
Quick Facts: Jamey Heath in the Lawsuit
- Role: Wayfarer Studios CEO, named defendant
- Alleged Actions: Showing unsolicited graphic video, email coordination of smear campaign
- Court Order: Required to produce full birthing video
The Emails at the Center of the Justin Baldoni Blake Lively Lawsuit
The emails in the Blake Lively lawsuit are some of the most damaging pieces of evidence in the case.
In one email between publicist Melissa Nathan, Jed Wallace, and Jamey Heath dated August 8, 2024, Nathan confirmed they would be “going for their quote two option for $30,000 PM for 3 months,” referring to Wallace’s PR services.
In an email from August 7, 2024, to Heath, Nathan, and publicist Jennifer Abel, a TAG employee named Katie Case summarized a “social and digital mitigation and remediation” plan. Part of the plan was “monitoring and directly influencing forums that are working against Justin and Wayfarer to adjust the narrative in real time.”
One line in that email is especially striking. The plan stated: “The integral part here is to execute all without fingerprints.”
| Email Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of PR Contract Email | August 8, 2024 |
| Monthly PR Fee | $30,000 per month |
| Duration | 3 months |
| Plan Name (internal) | “Social and digital mitigation and remediation” |
| Key Phrase | “Execute all without fingerprints” |
The emails also included plans to start threads on Reddit with theories the team approved of and ask questions that no longer placed Wayfarer and Baldoni “on the back foot.”
Key Takeaway: Internal emails show a paid, documented PR operation was activated to counter Lively’s allegations, costing at least $90,000 over three months, with instructions to leave no traceable connection.
Ryan Reynolds and the Blake Lively Lawsuit: His Role
Ryan Reynolds is not a plaintiff in the Blake Lively lawsuit. He was, however, dragged into the case from both sides.
Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane. That countersuit alleged defamation and civil extortion. It claimed Reynolds was part of a coordinated effort to destroy Baldoni’s reputation.
Reynolds posted a cryptic tweet during this period. His message: “Truth always comes out.” Judge Liman threw out Baldoni’s countersuit in June 2025. Baldoni missed his October 2025 deadline to refile. His lawsuit is gone.
Reynolds now appears on the witness list for Lively’s trial.
If the actors do not reach a settlement, the May 2026 trial could see Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds, his Deadpool and Wolverine co-star Hugh Jackman, and Taylor Swift testifying.
Reynolds’ Positions in the Case:
- Named defendant in Baldoni’s countersuit (now dismissed)
- Potential trial witness for Lively
- Mentioned in unsealed emails as part of the film’s editing process
Reynolds reportedly provided input on the Sony cut of the film alongside Lively. His involvement in the creative process became a flashpoint in the legal dispute.
Taylor Swift’s Silence and the Blake Lively Lawsuit
Taylor Swift’s name entered the Blake Lively lawsuit in a big way, despite Swift never filing anything or testifying.
In May 2025, Baldoni petitioned to subpoena Swift, claiming that Lively used Swift and Reynolds to coerce him into accepting Lively’s rewrite of the film. He alleged that Lively blackmailed Swift with leaking private text messages to garner her public support.
Swift denied any involvement in the production, and Baldoni withdrew the subpoena request after the court condemned him for an abuse of process.
In June 2025, the court dismissed Baldoni’s suits against Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times, but granted him access to Lively’s text conversations with Swift.
Swift released her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, on October 3, 2025. Media outlets highlighted the tracks “Ruin the Friendship” and “Cancelled!” as possible references to Lively. After the album’s release, journalists interpreted “Cancelled!” as indicative of Swift’s continued solidarity with Lively, not a diss.
Key Takeaway: Swift tried to stay silent legally. Baldoni’s attempt to subpoena her backfired when the court called it an abuse of process. Her texts with Lively were still handed over to Baldoni’s team.
What Did Taylor Swift Actually Do in the Blake Lively Lawsuit?
Taylor Swift was a private ally to Lively during the It Ends With Us production, not a legal participant.
According to unsealed documents filed in U.S. District Court, Lively spoke openly with friends about the trouble she allegedly experienced on set, including one of her close friends, Taylor Swift.
In one exchange, Lively referred to Baldoni as her “doofus director.” In a later exchange ahead of the New York Times story that made the dispute public, Swift texted Lively a screenshot of an Instagram post from People Magazine highlighting comments from Baldoni about being “sexually traumatized” in his past.
Taylor Swift texted Lively a profanity about Baldoni, likening the Lively/Baldoni situation to “a horror film no one knows is taking place.”
These texts were unsealed on January 20, 2026, just two days before the summary judgment hearing. Cash App Class Action Settlement
| Swift’s Involvement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Relationship to Lively | Close friend, godmother to one of Lively’s children |
| Texts Released | January 20, 2026 |
| Subpoena Attempt | Filed May 2025, withdrawn after court rebuke |
| Album Response | “Cancelled!” interpreted as solidarity song |
Swift also contributed a song to the It Ends With Us soundtrack, which made her involvement in the film’s promotional universe a direct point of contention.
Justin Baldoni’s Countersuit Against Blake Lively: What Happened
Justin Baldoni did not just defend himself. He went on offense with a massive countersuit.
Baldoni filed a countersuit against Lively seeking $400 million, accusing her, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm of defamation and other contractual claims.
The countersuit alleged extortion and defamation, claiming Lively seized creative control through threats and then orchestrated a coordinated media attack using the New York Times.
Baldoni also filed a libel lawsuit for $250 million against The New York Times separately in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accusing it of pushing an “unverified and self-serving narrative.”
| Baldoni Lawsuit | Amount Sought | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Countersuit vs. Lively, Reynolds, Sloane | $400 million | Dismissed June 2025 |
| Libel lawsuit vs. New York Times | $250 million | Dismissed June 2025 |
| Amended complaint deadline | October 2025 | Missed, case closed |
After the court paused the NYT lawsuit, a spokesperson for the Times stated, “We appreciate the court’s decision today, which recognizes the important First Amendment values at stake here.”
Was the Justin Baldoni Blake Lively Lawsuit Dismissed?
Yes, but this answer requires clarity. Baldoni’s lawsuits were dismissed. Lively’s lawsuit was not.
Judge Liman threw out Baldoni’s countersuit in June 2025. Baldoni missed his October deadline to refile. His lawsuit is gone. Lively’s lawsuit is not. That asymmetry defines the current state of play.
This is the most common point of confusion for people searching this topic. There were multiple lawsuits filed by multiple parties. Here is what is dismissed and what is not:
| Lawsuit | Filed By | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual harassment/retaliation suit | Blake Lively | ACTIVE, trial May 18, 2026 |
| $400M countersuit | Justin Baldoni | DISMISSED, June 2025 |
| $250M NYT libel suit | Justin Baldoni | DISMISSED, June 2025 |
| Defamation suit vs. Lively + Reynolds | Justin Baldoni | DISMISSED, June 2025 |
| $7M suit vs. Lively | Jed Wallace | Lively’s claim vs. Wallace dismissed Nov 2025 |
The one lawsuit that matters in 2026, the one heading to trial, is the one Blake Lively filed. It is the only active case.
Key Takeaway: Multiple lawsuits were filed in this dispute, and multiple were dismissed. But the case most people are following, Lively’s harassment and retaliation claim, is still very much active and going to trial in May 2026.
Did Blake Lively Drop Her Lawsuit? Setting the Record Straight
No. Blake Lively did not drop her lawsuit.
This question comes up because of the confusion around dismissed cases. When Baldoni’s countersuits and the Jed Wallace matter were resolved, some reporting created the impression that the whole legal battle was winding down.
Lively’s attorneys insist the full record of evidence supports allowing the claims to proceed. They argued the judge should weigh all materials gathered during the case instead of dismissing the claims prematurely.
Lively said she deserves her “day in court” over the “toxic environment” Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios inner circle created during the making of It Ends With Us and the subsequent retaliation.
There is one specific dismissal that sometimes causes confusion. Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni’s PR executive Jed Wallace was dismissed in November 2025. That partial dismissal did not end Lively’s core case against Baldoni. Class Action Lawsuit Guide
The Simple Answer:
- Lively dropped: Her claim against Jed Wallace only (November 2025)
- Lively did NOT drop: Her main lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer, and core defendants
- Trial is still scheduled: May 18, 2026
Did Blake Lively Win Her Lawsuit? 2026 Status Update
Blake Lively has not won her lawsuit yet. The trial has not happened.
As of March 2026, both parties are in the pretrial phase. The key pending question is whether Judge Liman will grant Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment, which would end the case before a jury sees it.
Baldoni and other defendants have attempted to end the lawsuit before it reaches a jury. Their legal strategy includes a request for summary judgment, a procedural step asking the court to decide the case based on existing evidence instead of sending it to trial.
Lively’s attorneys pointed to a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, arguing that dismissing a complaint at this stage “would hardly serve the efficient or just resolution of disputes.”
Judge Liman has not yet ruled on the defendants’ request to dismiss the claims. Until that decision is issued, the future of the lawsuit remains uncertain.
Current Status by Marker:
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| Complaint filed | December 31, 2024 |
| Amended complaint | February 9, 2025 |
| Baldoni countersuit dismissed | June 2025 |
| Settlement conference | February 11, 2026, no deal |
| Summary judgment ruling | Pending as of March 2026 |
| Trial date | May 18, 2026 |
Nobody has won anything yet. The answer to “did Blake Lively win” is: not yet. The jury will decide in May 2026, unless a settlement is reached first.
Will the Blake Lively Lawsuit Be Dismissed Before the May Trial?
The odds favor the case reaching trial, but nothing is final until Judge Liman rules on the summary judgment motion.
Baldoni’s team filed for summary judgment in late November 2025. Lively rejected that motion formally in December 2025. Lively’s filing stated: “In their latest effort to avoid accountability for the hostile environment they created during the production and marketing of It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, and their co-defendants ask this Court to shield them from trial.”
On January 22, 2026, a summary judgment hearing confirmed the likelihood that the trial would proceed.
The February settlement conference made no progress. Baldoni and Lively were “unsuccessful in reaching any kind of resolution” during a court-ordered settlement conference on February 11, 2026.
Legal insiders say everyone is preparing for trial. One source close to the matter described the settlement process as partly “going through the motions” while both sides focus on May. Class Action Lawsuit Guide
What Would Trigger Dismissal Before May 2026:
- Judge grants Baldoni’s summary judgment motion (still pending)
- Both parties reach a private settlement before May 18
- Lively voluntarily withdraws her claims (no indication this will happen)
None of these appear likely as of late March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Blake Lively lawsuit against Justin Baldoni about?
The Blake Lively lawsuit is a federal sexual harassment and retaliation case filed against director Justin Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios. Lively alleges Baldoni harassed her on the set of It Ends With Us in 2024 and that his team then ran a paid PR campaign to destroy her reputation after she raised concerns. The case, number 1:24-cv-10049, is heading to trial on May 18, 2026 in federal court in Manhattan.
Did Blake Lively drop her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni?
No. Blake Lively did not drop her main lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. She did voluntarily dismiss her separate claim against PR consultant Jed Wallace in November 2025, but her core sexual harassment and retaliation case against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios remains fully active. Trial is scheduled for May 18, 2026.
Was Justin Baldoni’s countersuit against Blake Lively dismissed?
Yes. Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane was dismissed by Judge Lewis Liman in June 2025. Baldoni missed his October 2025 deadline to refile an amended complaint, so that lawsuit is permanently closed. Baldoni’s separate $250 million libel suit against The New York Times was also dismissed in June 2025.
What role did Taylor Swift play in the Blake Lively Justin Baldoni lawsuit?
Taylor Swift was a private friend and supporter of Lively, not a legal participant in the lawsuit. Unsealed documents from January 2026 revealed texts between Swift and Lively discussing Baldoni, with Swift calling the situation “a horror film no one knows is taking place.” Baldoni’s attempt to subpoena Swift in May 2025 was withdrawn after the court condemned it as an abuse of process.
When does the Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni trial begin?
The trial is currently scheduled to begin on May 18, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It was originally set for March 9, 2026, but Judge Liman moved it after criminal proceedings took scheduling priority. A failed settlement conference on February 11, 2026 confirmed that both sides are preparing for a full trial.
What Comes Next
The case is at its most decisive point. A summary judgment ruling from Judge Liman could end it before May. If that motion is denied, the trial begins May 18, 2026.
If it goes to trial, expect testimony from Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Taylor Swift, and a lineup of Sony executives. The emails, the texts, and the $30,000-per-month smear operation will all be presented before a jury.
Check back for updates as the trial date approaches. The most important thing to know right now: Lively’s lawsuit is active, Baldoni’s countersuits are gone, and the finish line is May 18.
