Justin Baldoni is facing heavy stress due to his ongoing legal fight with Blake Lively. A close source says the actor and director feels both emotionally and financially drained by the lawsuit. The case started in December 2024 and is set for trial in March 2026.
Baldoni and Lively worked together on the film It Ends With Us. After the movieโs release, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and running a smear campaign against her. Baldoni denied these claims and filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist.
The legal battle has taken a toll on Baldoni. A family friend shared, “Heโs certainly feeling the financial and emotional weight of his legal fight.” Despite the stress, Baldoni remains hopeful. The friend added, “He believes things will work out for the best.”
Baldoniโs wife, Emily, and their two children have been his main support. The couple has grown closer during this difficult time. Another friend said, “Heโs been spending time with his wife, family, and close friends as much as ever.”
Lively has continued her public appearances while the case unfolds. She attended events like the TIME100 gala and promoted her new film Another Simple Favor. Meanwhile, Baldoni has kept a lower profile, focusing on his family and faith.
The lawsuit includes serious accusations from both sides. Lively claims Baldoni created a hostile work environment during filming. She also says he hired a PR team to damage her reputation. Baldoniโs legal team argues that Lively and Reynolds took control of the movie and later attacked him unfairly.
Baldoniโs lawyers have also involved Taylor Swift in the case. They subpoenaed Swift, claiming Lively pressured her to support her publicly. Swiftโs team denied any involvement beyond licensing her song for the film.
The case has seen multiple legal filings. Livelyโs lawyers recently asked for sanctions against Baldoniโs legal team. They accused them of making false claims and trying to turn the lawsuit into a media spectacle.
Baldoniโs career has been impacted by the lawsuit. His talent agency, WME, dropped him after Livelyโs accusations. Some former colleagues and supporters have also distanced themselves. However, a Hollywood source says Baldoni is not worried about his future. “He is very confident in his legal team,” the source shared.
The legal battle shows no signs of ending soon. Both sides have rejected mediation, meaning the case will likely go to trial. Until then, Baldoni is focusing on his family while preparing for the court fight.
Credits: Sources include People, Forbes, ABC News, NPR, and Vulture.