A Los Angeles judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by actor and director Justin Baldoni against actress Blake Lively on Oct. 30, 2025 [1].
The ruling concludes a legal battle stemming from the production of the film ‘It Ends With Us,’ signaling a definitive end to the public dispute between the two co-stars.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court found no evidence of defamatory intent in the statements Lively made regarding Baldoni's film [3]. Because the court determined the claims lacked merit, the judge ordered Baldoni to pay for Lively’s legal fees [1].
While the court required Baldoni to cover the costs of the defense, it did not grant Lively further financial compensation. The judge ruled that Lively may recover her legal fees but is not entitled to any additional damages [1].
Baldoni has decided not to appeal the decision [2]. This choice prevents further litigation and closes the case permanently. The conflict centered on allegations of defamation that arose during and after the promotion of the movie, but the court found the evidence insufficient to support a legal claim of defamation [3].
Throughout the proceedings, the court focused on whether the statements in question met the legal threshold for defamation. The final ruling affirmed that Lively's comments did not constitute a legal breach, leading to the dismissal of the case [3].
“The judge dismissed Baldoni's lawsuit, stating there was no evidence of defamation.”
This ruling reinforces the high legal threshold required to prove defamation in U.S. courts, particularly regarding professional disputes in the entertainment industry. By denying additional damages while awarding legal fees, the court penalized the filing of a meritless suit without providing a windfall to the defendant, effectively neutralizing the financial impact of the litigation for Lively.
