Judge dismisses most of Blake Lively's claims in Justin Baldoni harassment suit

A federal judge dismissed most of Blake Lively's claims in her sexual harassment lawsuit against her *It Ends With Us* co-star Justin Baldoni. The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, alleged harassment and a smear campaign, which Baldoni denies. Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of 13 claims, including harassment and defamation, citing that the alleged harassment occurred in New Jersey, not California, undermining claims made under California law. Three claims remain: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, which are scheduled for a civil trial in New York on May 18. Baldoni's previous counter-lawsuit against Lively was dismissed last year. The case stems from interactions on the set of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel.

A federal judge has dismissed the majority of Blake Lively's lawsuit claims against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in the film *It Ends With Us*. Judge Lewis Liman threw out 10 of the 13 claims, including allegations of sexual harassment, conspiracy, and defamation. The trial, scheduled for May after failed mediation, will now focus on Lively's claims of breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, specifically concerning a retaliatory campaign to share negative stories about her online. The lawsuit has revealed private messages between Lively and other celebrities, adding to the public scrutiny of the case. The legal battle follows the film's release in 2024 and rumors of conflict between Lively and Baldoni.