Blake Lively is embroiled in yet another legal battle, this time with Justin Baldoni’s PR expert, Jed Wallace. Wallace is suing the actress for defamation after she falsely accused him of involvement in a smear campaign against her.
The Legal Drama Unfolds
It all started when Lively named Wallace in a December filing, claiming he was part of a “digital army” created to attack her and defend Baldoni. This filing, referred to as a “precursor to a lawsuit,” quickly made its way into the media. Although Wallace and his company, Street Relations, were not officially named in the December 31 lawsuit, the damage was already done.
Wallace’s lawsuit claims false accusations
Wallace’s legal team argues that Lively’s allegations were entirely false. The lawsuit, filed in Texas federal court, claims Wallace was unfairly accused of harassment and retaliation. He’s suing for over $1 million in damages for emotional distress and business losses, stating that Lively’s actions caused severe harm to his reputation.
Lively’s response: Another retaliation lawsuit
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Lively called it a transparent attempt to silence her. She maintains that the defamation suit is part of a broader effort to retaliate against her for speaking out against sexual harassment and retaliation. Lively is confident the lawsuit will be dismissed and welcomes the chance for Wallace to be held accountable.
Accusations of a smear campaign
Lively’s legal complaint claims Wallace worked with Baldoni’s team to create and promote fake social media content aimed at damaging her reputation. Wallace’s lawyers argue that these accusations are baseless and that Lively had no factual support for her claims. They further argue that her actions caused real harm to both Wallace and his business.
The growing legal battle between Lively and Baldoni
This defamation lawsuit is just one chapter in a larger legal saga between Lively and Baldoni. The two stars, who appeared together in the box office hit It Ends with Us, have been locked in a bitter dispute since the film’s production. Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate behavior on set, including entering her trailer without permission and showing her graphic videos of his wife’s birth.
Baldoni strikes back with his own lawsuit
In retaliation, Baldoni countersued Lively, claiming she manipulated the narrative to tarnish his image. His lawsuit, asking for $400 million in damages, argues that Lively and her team worked together to plant false stories about him. He also sued The New York Times for publishing an article based on unverified claims from Lively’s team.
Behind-the-scenes footage fuels the fire
Things took another turn when raw footage from the It Ends with Us set was made public. The video shows Lively and Baldoni engaging in lighthearted banter during a dance scene. While Lively’s team argues this footage supports her harassment claims, Baldoni’s legal team says it shows he acted appropriately during the filming.
The emotional toll on Lively
Reports suggest that the ongoing legal battles are taking a significant emotional toll on Lively. Sources say that both she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, are struggling under the pressure of the intense media attention. Lively is reportedly determined to get the situation resolved, but the legal fights seem far from over.
Baldoni’s team fights back
Baldoni’s team has been vocal throughout the legal proceedings, releasing communications and documents that they believe back up their claims. They maintain that Lively’s accusations are false and that the truth will come out in court. Their ultimate goal is to restore Baldoni’s reputation and end the smear campaign they claim she’s orchestrated.
Courtroom tensions rise
In the first court hearing this week, tensions boiled over between the two sides. A judge reprimanded both parties for speaking to the media, warning that their public comments could influence the jury selection. The judge also denied Lively’s request for a gag order and motion to dismiss the case. The next major court date is set for March 2026, with both sides bracing for a long, drawn-out legal battle.
The ongoing media storm
As the lawsuits continue to pile up, the media storm surrounding It Ends with Us shows no signs of slowing down. Lively and Baldoni’s feud is playing out in public, with both parties fighting fiercely to protect their reputations. The coming months will likely see more revelations as the legal battle between the two stars unfolds.
