Blake Lively speaks out after Justin Baldoni settlement in ‘It Ends With Us’ legal battle

Blake Lively has spoken out following the settlement of her legal dispute with Justin Baldoni over the 2024 film It Ends With Us, calling the outcome a “resounding victory” through her legal team.

In a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly on May 7, Lively’s attorneys Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson described the settlement reached on May 4 as a significant win for the actress, who had accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation during production of the film.

“This settlement is a resounding victory for Blake Lively,” the statement read. “Justin Baldoni and every individual defendant now face personal liability for abusing the legal system to silence and intimidate Ms. Lively.”

The legal team also noted that by agreeing to settle and waiving the right to appeal, the defendants had acknowledged that Lively’s concerns “deserved to be heard.” They added that the resolution supports her broader mission of holding accountable those who allegedly use retaliatory legal action and smear campaigns against survivors.

The dispute between Lively and Baldoni began in late 2024 after Lively filed allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy. While some of her claims were later dismissed by a judge, others — including retaliation under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) — remained active before the settlement.

Baldoni, who directed and starred alongside Lively in It Ends With Us, denied all allegations and previously filed a countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their PR firm. That case was later dismissed by a judge.

Both parties issued a joint statement after the settlement, noting that the film’s production and message surrounding domestic violence awareness remained important, while expressing hope for closure and a respectful path forward.