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What Happened Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni? The It Ends With Us Dispute, Explained

Lively’s claims against Baldoni were substantially narrowed by a judge, then the remaining claims settled before trial. Here’s what the court did—and did not—decide.
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The dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni grew out of the production and promotion of the 2024 film It Ends With Us. Lively accused Baldoni and others of sexual harassment and retaliation and alleged a campaign to damage her reputation; Baldoni denied those allegations. A judge dismissed most of Lively’s claims, leaving two retaliation claims and one contract claim. The parties settled those remaining claims before trial on May 4, 2026, without disclosing the terms. There was no trial verdict on them.

What was the dispute about?

It Ends With Us, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel, stars Lively and was directed and co-starred in by Baldoni. The film explores domestic violence and emotional abuse. The legal dispute, however, concerned alleged conduct during the film’s production and promotion, as well as the parties’ public relations conflict. The film’s subject matter is not evidence for either side’s legal claims.

Lively alleged sexual harassment and retaliation connected to the production and said Baldoni and associates orchestrated a campaign to damage her reputation. Baldoni denied harassing her or organizing a smear campaign. His side argued that Lively’s complaints were part of an effort to gain creative control. These were competing claims and denials, not findings established at trial.

What did the judge decide?

On April 2, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed most of Lively’s claims, including her sexual-harassment claims, while allowing two retaliation claims and one contract claim to proceed. The ruling narrowed the case; it did not determine that the remaining allegations were true.

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  • IT ENDS WITH US tells the empowering story of Lily Bloom. Grappling with a painful past, Lily embarks on a new life in Boston and opens her own flower shop. After falling in love with Ryle, Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her dangerous father. With the support of her friends and allies, Lily must find her own strength to break the pattern or the pattern will break her.

In explaining the legal disposition, Judge Liman wrote that some of Baldoni’s conduct “was not so far beyond what might reasonably be expected to take place between two characters” in a sexually charged movie like It Ends With Us. He also wrote: “That Baldoni suggested scenes involving sexual acts in the context of developing a motion picture involving such adult themes did not create a ‘sexually objectionable environment’ or an environment hostile to women (or to men) because of sex.” Those statements appear in the judge’s April 2 order addressing the legal claims. They are not a general endorsement of conduct in workplaces or film productions.

Did Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settle?

Yes. On May 4, 2026, the parties settled before trial. The terms were not disclosed. Because the remaining claims were resolved by settlement, there was no trial verdict on Lively’s two retaliation claims or contract claim. A settlement is not, by itself, an admission of liability.

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The parties’ joint statement said: “We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.” It also expressed hope that the settlement would bring closure, help those involved move forward constructively and in peace, and encourage a respectful environment online.

What happened to Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively?

Baldoni’s defamation and extortion suit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds and their publicist was dismissed in June 2025. ABC News’ timeline says final judgment formally ended that counterclaim on October 31, 2025. That was a separate case from Lively’s claims, which were later narrowed by Judge Liman and then settled.

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What was the August 2026 legal-fee award?

On August 26, 2026, Judge Liman awarded Lively $363,245 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206 in costs, according to the Associated Press. The AP reported that Lively had sought $8 million in legal costs. This was a post-settlement ruling about fees and costs—not damages for the original allegations and not a verdict on the claims that had settled.

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How does the film relate to Colleen Hoover’s book?

The film adapts Hoover’s novel, so comparing the two is useful for understanding adaptation choices and the story’s portrayal of abuse. Their creative differences do not establish what happened during the film’s production or resolve the legal dispute.

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