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The legal battle between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has taken a dramatic turn with the launch of a website by Baldoni, aimed at defending himself against allegations of sexual harassment. This public move comes amid an ongoing $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit that Baldoni filed against the actress, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane in what has become one of Hollywood’s most high-profile legal disputes.
The Website and Its Purpose
On Saturday, Baldoni launched the website, which TMZ first reported, as a central hub for his side of the story. The site includes links to the updated version of his lawsuit, filed on January 16, and a 168-page document that outlines a detailed timeline of events regarding the case. The website also includes alleged text messages, emails, and other forms of correspondence between Baldoni, Lively, Reynolds, and other members of the production team for the 2024 film “It Ends With Us.”
Revealing Alleged Messages
Among the newly released materials, one alleged text message from Blake Lively, dated April 2023, has drawn significant attention. The message reportedly references a rewrite of a rooftop scene in the movie. In the text, Lively allegedly wrote, “If you knew me (in person) longer, you’d have a sense of how flirty and yummy the ball-busting will play. It’s my love language. Spicy and playfully bold, never with teeth…” The tone of this message has become a focal point, with some questioning its context and relevance to the ongoing case.Another alleged message, this time from Ryan Reynolds in February 2023, shows the actor expressing excitement about his wife working with Baldoni.
Reynolds reportedly wrote, “I’m excited for you to work together. I’m excited for Blake to crack open her creative piggy bank with someone as dynamic as you. This is going to be INCREDIBLE. I happen to adore you, Justin.”These messages are part of the evidence Baldoni has showcased on his website, aiming to counter Lively’s claims and demonstrate a different narrative about their working relationship during the production of “It Ends With Us.”
The Allegations Against Baldoni
The legal dispute began when Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20, 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the film. She claimed that Baldoni made her feel uncomfortable with sexually suggestive comments and remarks about her postpartum body. Furthermore, Lively alleged that Baldoni retaliated against her by launching a smear campaign to damage her reputation.Following this, Lively escalated the matter by filing a formal lawsuit in New York Federal Court on December 31, 2024. The lawsuit accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract, making it clear that she intended to address these grievances in court.
Baldoni’s Legal Counterattack
Baldoni responded to Lively’s lawsuit by filing his own defamation and extortion lawsuit in January 2025, seeking $400 million in damages. However, his lawsuit did not stop at Lively—it also named her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane, as co-defendants. Baldoni alleged that the three orchestrated a campaign to defame him and tarnish his career.Through his newly launched website, Baldoni has released screenshots of alleged conversations with Lively and others, including text exchanges with the film’s intimacy coordinator. These messages are presented as evidence to challenge Lively’s claims and show that Baldoni made efforts to address her concerns. For example, the site includes messages that Baldoni says reflect his attempts to resolve any issues that made Lively uncomfortable during their collaboration.
Further Legal Developments
As the legal proceedings continue, the case has become increasingly contentious. Lively and Reynolds have filed a request for a gag order to prevent Baldoni’s attorney, Brian Freedman, from making public comments about the case. Lively’s legal team argued that Freedman’s remarks could potentially “taint a potential jury” and affect the fairness of the trial.Despite this, Baldoni’s website appears to be another attempt to control the narrative and defend himself in the court of public opinion. By releasing a detailed timeline and alleged correspondence, Baldoni seems intent on providing transparency about his version of events while countering the accusations against him.
A Long Road Ahead
The trial date for this high-stakes case is currently set for March 2026, leaving over a year for both parties to prepare their arguments. The first hearing is scheduled for Monday, and all involved parties are expected to attend. This hearing will likely set the stage for what promises to be a highly publicized and complex legal battle.
Conclusion
The legal dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has captivated public attention, as it pits two prominent Hollywood figures against each other in a deeply personal and professional conflict. Baldoni’s decision to launch a website releasing alleged messages and correspondence marks a bold step in his defense strategy, but it also raises questions about the ethics of publicly sharing private communications in an ongoing legal case.As the legal drama unfolds, the stakes remain extraordinarily high for everyone involved. With allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and extortion in play, the ultimate outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for all parties, both professionally and personally. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming hearing and the evidence each side will bring to the table as they prepare for what is shaping up to be one of Hollywood’s most closely watched legal battles.
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