In a pivotal legal development, a federal judge has dismissed the core sexual harassment claims in Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, significantly weakening her case just weeks before the scheduled trial and reshaping the narrative around their “It Ends With Us” feud.
A federal judge on April 2, 2026, delivered a significant blow to Blake Lively’s case against Justin Baldoni by dismissing 10 of her 13 claims, including all sexual harassment allegations and every charge brought against the individual defendants Page Six. The ruling narrows the high-profile dispute stemming from the set of It Ends With Us to a handful of remaining counts just weeks before trial.
According to court documents, the dismissed claims include all sexual harassment allegations and every charge against individual defendants: Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, Melissa Nathan, and Jennifer Abel. What remains are claims for breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, with a trial set for May 18, 2026 Page Six.
Baldoni‘s attorneys expressed satisfaction, stating, “We’re very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims… These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review.” They noted that “what’s left is a significantly narrowed case” and will “present our defense to the remaining claims in court.”
Lively‘s legal team countered that the sexual harassment dismissal resulted from the court deeming her an independent contractor, not an employee. Her attorney emphasized the case “has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively’s reputation because she stood up for safety on the set.”
The legal battle originated in December 2024, when Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment during It Ends With Us production, claiming she lost around $161 million due to a smear campaign around the film’s August 2024 release Page Six. Baldoni denied allegations and filed a $400 million counter-suit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds in January 2025, later dismissed Page Six.
The case entangled other celebrities, including Taylor Swift, via unsealed documents revealing private texts Page Six. The co-stars last met at an unsuccessful settlement conference in New York City on February 11, 2026 AOL.
For fans of It Ends With Us, this ruling highlights the severe real-world consequences of the film’s production turmoil. Lively‘s $161 million loss claim directly ties the legal conflict to the movie’s financial performance, casting uncertainty over any sequel or franchise plans. The shift to retaliation claims spotlights digital reputational attacks and workplace safety—issues that resonate industry-wide.
With the May 18 trial focusing on contract and retaliation, both sides are poised for a fierce courtroom battle. Lively‘s lawyer stated she “looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation,” signaling a continued emphasis on exposing coordinated smear campaigns.
This saga has already revealed tactics of digital harassment and set benchmarks for contractor rights in entertainment. The final outcome will profoundly impact future on-set conduct, celebrity litigation strategies, and how retaliation claims are prosecuted in the social media era.
For the fastest, most authoritative analysis on breaking entertainment news, trust onlytrustedinfo.com to deliver the insights that matter. Explore our latest coverage for in-depth reports and expert commentary.
