Actor Blake Lively has spoken out after a US court dismissed several of her claims in an ongoing legal battle with her It Ends with Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, calling the experience “unfathomably painful” while vowing to continue her fight.
In a statement shared on Instagram Stories on April 3, Lively said, “I will never stop doing my part in fighting to expose the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims.” She added that she would not “waste” the privilege of being able to speak up.
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Court trims claims, trial to proceed
A federal judge dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims on April 2, including those related to sexual harassment. However, key allegations, including claims of retaliation and breach of contract involving Wayfarer Studios will proceed to trial.
According to reports, the case is scheduled to go before a jury on May 18 in New York. Lively said she was “grateful” that the core of her case would still be heard in court, adding that the trial would allow her to present her account in full.
‘Unfathomably painful’, but fight continues
In her statement, Lively described the legal process as deeply difficult but necessary. She said the lawsuit was filed in response to what she described as retaliation after raising concerns about a safe working environment.
“The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit,” she wrote, adding that the experience reflects wider issues faced by many. She also warned against dismissing online harassment, calling “digital violence” a real form of abuse.
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The post included a dragon emoji, which observers linked to earlier references in the dispute, though Lively did not elaborate further.
Background to the dispute
The legal battle stems from Lively’s complaint filed in December 2024, alleging misconduct during the production of "It Ends with Us,” which was adapted from a book written by Colleen Hoover.
According to Baldoni, who is yet to comment on the issue, the lawsuit has grown bigger as other claims have been added to it.
