‘Digital soap opera’: Blake Lively responds after claims against Justin Baldoni dismissed

Blake Lively has responded to a US federal judge’s ruling that dismissed most of the claims she brought against her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, imploring people to ignore the “digital soap opera” and focus instead on the pain caused by digital violence.

US district judge Lewis Liman handed down the decision last Thursday (Friday AEDT) in Manhattan after more than a year of heated litigation over the 2024 film, which was adapted from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling romantic drama.

“The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others,” the actor wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

“I hope the Court’s decision shows others that, as unfathomably painful as it is, you can speak up,” she continued. “Don’t be distracted by the digital soap opera. The constant packaging of this lawsuit as a ‘Celebrity Drama’ is not only irresponsible, but it is by design: to keep you from seeing yourselves in my story. The physical pain from digital violence is very real.”

Lively, 38, sued Baldoni, production company Wayfarer Studios and others in December 2024, seeking unspecified damages for alleged sexual harassment, defamation, invasion of privacy and violations of federal and state civil rights laws. Baldoni, 42, denied all allegations against him, claiming that he resolved the actor’s concerns as soon as she raised them.

Last week, Liman dismissed Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Baldoni and other defendants on jurisdictional grounds, saying she had sued under a California law, but the alleged wrongful conduct took place elsewhere.

The judge said Lively might pursue a retaliation claim against Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios, as well as a contract claim and an aiding and abetting claim against various defendants.

In response, Lively said she is grateful the court’s ruling will allow her to present “the heart of her case” to a jury next month.

“If you’re looking, my claims won’t be the first or last time you’ll see examples of the extreme dangers of retaliation and digital warfare. And it often won’t be directed at celebrities or those who may be able to speak up,” she said on Tuesday.

“It affects us all. Across the political spectrum. Pay attention to all the ways we can be manipulated online. Digital manipulation has been boasted (sic) as ‘untraceable’. If you have kids on phones, they are some of the most vulnerable. Protect them.”

The actor, who has maintained a relatively low profile since filing her lawsuit against Baldoni, went on to cite studies estimating “between 16 per cent and 58 per cent of women have experienced online abuse or stalking, with 97 per cent of gender-based violence service providers reporting technology-facilitated abuse in their cases”.

She expressed gratitude to those who have fought similar battles before her, helping to create new laws and trigger social change.

“I will never stop doing my part in fighting to expose the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims. I know it’s a privilege to be able to stand up. I will not waste it. Your support keeps me going,” she said.

The It Ends With Us legal saga has captivated Hollywood since late 2024. It has drawn in famous names such as pop juggernaut Taylor Swift, model Gigi Hadid and actor Hugh Jackman, all of whom, according to Lively, might have information supporting her claims.

In January 2025, Baldoni sued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, for defamation, saying they tried to destroy his reputation, but Liman dismissed that case last June.

A select number of Lively’s claims, including retaliation, will go to trial on May 18.

With Reuters

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