Blake Lively seeks $161m in damages over smear campaign

Actor and entrepreneur Blake Lively is seeking more than $161 million in damages, claiming she suffered severe financial and reputational losses due to an alleged retaliation and smear campaign linked to the 2024 release of 'It Ends With Us', directed by Justin Baldoni.

According to court documents obtained by 'Rolling Stone', Lively's lawsuit names Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer Studios executive Steve Sarowitz, and their publicists as defendants in an ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation case.

Lively's legal team alleges the campaign cost her $56.2 million in lost income from acting, producing, and public appearances, including $18.3 million in wages lost between August 2024 and the anticipated 2026 trial.

Her beauty line, Blake Brown, reportedly lost $49 million in profits, while her beverage brand, Betty B Holdings, suffered an estimated $22 million loss. The remaining $34 million, the filing claims, reflects reputational harm caused by "65 million impressions of defamatory statements."

The documents also indicate that Lively intends to seek punitive damages of at least three times the actual amount claimed. Among the potential witnesses listed are Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, Emily Blunt, and Hugh Jackman, who may testify regarding the alleged misconduct and its aftermath.

Baldoni previously filed a $400 million defamation suit against Lively and Reynolds, but it was dismissed earlier this year after he declined to amend his complaint.

Neither side has publicly commented on the latest filings. The case, first reported by 'Variety' and 'Deadline', is expected to proceed to trial in March 2026, where experts will assess the extent of Lively's alleged financial and reputational damages.