Blake Lively, who had been involved in a lengthy legal dispute with her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, has spoken out following the settlement of the case. Lively’s lawyers, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, released a statement describing the settlement as a major victory for the actress.
Blake Lively’s lawyers share statement on Justin Baldoni settlement
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni had been involved in a legal dispute since late 2024. The case stemmed from the production of their 2024 film It Ends With Us. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and alleged that he orchestrated a smear campaign against her during the production.
Shortly before the case was set to go to trial, the parties announced a settlement on May 4, 2026. On May 7, 2026, Lively’s lawyers, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, released a statement about the settlement. They called it a “victory” for Lively.
“This settlement is a resounding victory for Blake Lively,” they wrote in the statement (via EW). “By agreeing to this settlement, and waiving their right to appeal, Justin Baldoni and every individual defendant now face personal liability for abusing the legal system to silence and intimidate Ms. Lively.”
They continued, “And by admitting that Ms. Lively’s concerns ‘deserved to be heard,’ the defendants have ended once and for all the fiction that Ms. Lively ‘fabricated’ claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. From day one, Blake Lively’s mission was clear: expose and hold accountable those who weaponize smear campaigns and retaliatory lawsuits to intimidate and silence survivors. That mission continues.”
Lively had accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy. However, several of those claims were later dismissed by a judge. Some claims, including breach of contract, remained active in court proceedings before the settlement.
Lively and Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios also released a joint statement. “The end product — the movie It Ends With Us — is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life,” the statement read. “Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors — and all survivors — is a goal that we stand behind.”
