A federal judge has dismissed the majority of sexual harassment and defamation claims brought by actress Blake Lively against her It Ends with Us co-star Justin Baldoni, per bbc.com. In a significant blow to the actress’s legal position, Judge Lewis Liman struck out 10 of the 13 allegations, citing jurisdictional issues and her status as an independent contractor.
The ruling, delivered in New York, determined that harassment claims under California law could not proceed because the alleged misconduct occurred during filming in New Jersey. Furthermore, the judge ruled that statements made by Baldoni’s legal team did not constitute defamation, as they were directly related to the ongoing litigation.
Despite the dismissals, the case is far from over. Judge Liman allowed three claims to proceed: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation. These remaining counts will head to a civil trial in New York scheduled for May 18. Lively’s legal representative, Sigrid McCawley, emphasised that the case remains focused on the “extraordinary steps” taken by the defendants to damage the actress’s reputation.
The legal feud ignited in 2024 following the release of the Colleen Hoover adaptation, with both stars accusing the other of orchestrating smear campaigns. While Baldoni’s own $400 million counter-lawsuit was dismissed last year, he continues to deny all allegations of misconduct. Lively is expected to testify at the upcoming trial, where the focus will shift from on-set interactions to the alleged co-ordinated campaign to undermine her career.
•Featured image: Lively and Baldoni/AFP via Getty Images
