Blake Lively Files Motion Seeking Millions from Justin Baldoni in Defamation Case

Blake Lively has filed a motion seeking millions of dollars in attorneys' fees and damages from Justin Baldoni after he filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against her, which was largely dismissed by Judge Lewis Liman. Lively accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of 'It Ends With Us' and alleges he retaliated with a smear campaign, while Baldoni denies the claims and has accused Lively of fabricating allegations. Lively's legal team is invoking the 2023 California Protecting Survivors from Weaponized Defamation Lawsuits Act, which protects sexual harassment accusers from defamation suits if their claims have a reasonable basis and are made without malice. She is seeking treble and punitive damages for economic, emotional, and psychological harm, arguing that Baldoni's defamation suit was frivolous and retaliatory. The case is set to go to trial in spring 2026, with Lively pushing for the court to determine the damages amount before then to deter similar litigation tactics. Baldoni's legal team disputes the applicability of the California law to the case, and the court has not yet ruled on that issue.