Blake Lively Reacts After Court Throws Out Claims Against Justin Baldoni

US, Apr 07 : Hollywood actor Blake Lively has spoken out following a federal court decision that dismissed several of her allegations against co-star and director Justin Baldoni related to their film It Ends With Us.

Presiding over the matter, Judge Lewis J. Liman struck down 10 of the 13 claims filed by Lively, including accusations of harassment, defamation, breach of contract, and retaliation. However, the court allowed select allegations  notably those tied to an alleged coordinated effort to damage her reputation  to proceed, with hearings scheduled for May 18.

Responding to the development through Instagram, Lively said she remains thankful for the chance to present her case in court. She strongly criticised sections of the media for reducing the dispute to “celebrity drama,” calling such portrayals dismissive of serious issues.

Highlighting the broader implications, Lively pointed to the impact of online harassment, stating that harm caused through digital platforms is often underestimated. She described it as a form of abuse and warned about the growing threat of digital manipulation, adding that steps are already underway to uncover those responsible.

The court, in its ruling dated April 2, clarified that certain claims were not applicable under California law, as the alleged incidents occurred in New Jersey. It also noted that Lively’s status as an independent contractor limited her ability to pursue some employment-related allegations. Additionally, the defamation claim against Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, was dismissed.

Despite the partial setback, Lively reaffirmed her commitment to pursuing justice and advocating for safer professional environments, saying she intends to use her platform to encourage others to speak out against harassment and retaliation.