Blake Lively broke silence on the dismissal of most of her allegations against Justin Baldoni, including sexual harrasment and defamation.
The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reached a major turning point on April 2, 2026, when a federal judge, Lewis Liman dismissed majority of the actress' claims, including central allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy. The court ruled that Blake could not bring sexual harassment claims under federal law (Title VII) because she was an independent contractor, not an employee. The dismissal sparked reactions from both parties. Following the verdict, Blake shared her honest views regarding her loss.
In a 152-page ruling on April 2, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 claims in Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. The judge ruled that the Gossip Girl star was an independent contractor, not an employee, which meant she could not pursue sexual harassment claims under certain federal civil rights laws. The 38-year-old actress also filed some claims under California law; however, they weren't considered. The reason was that the alleged misconduct didn't occur in that state, rendering those laws inapplicable to the Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni case.
Following the significant legal setback on April 2, 2026, Blake Lively broke her silence, vowing to continue her fight and stating that she will not be "distracted by the digital soap opera." In a statement shared on her Instagram Stories on April 4, 2026, the actress addressed the dismissal of most of her allegations against her It Ends with Us co-star, Justin Baldoni. Her reaction focused on the remaining portion of her lawsuit, which she described as the "heart" of her case. Notably, while the lawsuit has narrowed significantly, it is still set to proceed to a jury trial scheduled for May 18, 2026, which Blake is looking forward to, hoping for a favourable outcome.
Through a lengthy post, Blake Lively reaffirmed her dedication to "expose the systems" and "people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims." Her legal team clarified that the case "has always been and will remain focused" on the alleged smear campaign orchestrated against her by Justin Baldoni. Her representatives noted that the sexual harassment claims were dismissed due to jurisdictional issues and her status as an independent contractor, rather than an "endorsement of the defendants' conduct." She expressed that the "physical pain from digital violence is very real", but concluded her statement with a firm, "See you in court," depicting her resilience to keep fighting. She stated:
"The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but I brought this case because of the pervasive retaliation I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others...It [digital violence] is abuse. And it’s everywhere. Not just in the news, but in your communities and schools."
Blake Lively sought millions in legal fees and damages from Justin Baldoni after a USD 400 million defamation lawsuit she filed against him was dismissed. The actress's legal counsel described Justin's claims as "frivolous," thereby justifying Blake's "entitled" to receive monetary compensation from him. The motion, filed by Blake Lively on September 7, 2025, cited a particular California law intended to protect sexual harassment survivors from retaliatory lawsuits. They argued that Justin's dismissed lawsuit was intended to silence Blake, and that the California law was specifically designed to hold harassers accountable. However, as per the recent April 2026 court ruling, no California law will be considered in the Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni case.
What are your thoughts on Blake Lively's reaction to the dismissal of most of her allegations against Justin Baldoni? Let us know.
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