Blake Lively Claims $161 Million in Damages Over Alleged Smear Campaign Involving Justin Baldoni
The ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken another major turn. New court documents reveal that Lively’s legal team is alleging she suffered $161 million in damages from what they describe as an orchestrated “smear campaign” carried out by Baldoni and his associates. The claims shed light on the depth of the fallout from the highly publicized feud surrounding their film It Ends With Us.
Blake Lively’s legal claim outlines massive financial and reputational losses
According to court filings originally submitted in July 2025 and reviewed by Us Weekly on November 6, Lively’s attorneys assert that the 38-year-old actress endured extensive financial and professional harm as a result of the alleged smear efforts.
The legal documents, first reported by Variety, estimate her losses at $161 million, divided across various sectors of her career and business ventures:
- $56.2 million from past and projected acting, producing, speaking, and endorsement deals.
- $49 million in lost potential earnings tied to her beauty line Blake Brown.
- $22 million in losses allegedly affecting her beverage brands Betty Buzz and Betty Booze.
- $34 million attributed to reputational damage, based on an estimated 65 million negative social media impressions about Lively.
Her attorneys argue that the reputational harm has directly impacted her ability to secure future deals and maintain brand partnerships.
Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni: how it began
Lively initially filed her lawsuit in December 2024 against Baldoni, 41, as well as producer Jamey Heath, studio head Steve Sarowitz, and their public relations representatives. The suit alleges that Baldoni, her It Ends With Us co-star and director, sexually harassed her and subsequently engaged in a “smear campaign” intended to damage her career.
Baldoni has denied all allegations, calling them “false and defamatory.” The legal back-and-forth escalated when he filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds in January 2025, accusing the couple of extortion and defamation.
In June 2025, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit. Following that decision, Lively publicly expressed gratitude for the ruling, posting on Instagram:
“Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organizations united in defending women’s rights to speak up for their safety,” she wrote. “Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us.”
High-profile names mentioned in court filings
The latest filing from Lively’s team names several A-list celebrities — including Taylor Swift, Emily Blunt, Hugh Jackman, Gigi Hadid, and Scooter Braun — as individuals who may have relevant information regarding Baldoni’s alleged conduct or its impact on Lively’s reputation.
Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, is also mentioned in the documents, alongside others who may be called upon as witnesses or information sources.
Justin Baldoni’s legal team responds
Despite the mounting claims, Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman maintains that the accusations are baseless. Speaking to People in June 2025, he stated:
“The Court’s decision on the motion to dismiss has no effect whatsoever on the truth that there was no harassment nor any smear campaign. Discovery is proceeding, and we are confident that we will prevail against these factually baseless accusations.”
Freedman also noted that Baldoni’s team chose not to amend their previous claims, opting instead to “pursue additional legal options” as they prepare for trial.
Trial scheduled for 2026 amid intensifying legal battle
The case is set to move forward, with trial proceedings scheduled for March 2026. Legal analysts expect the trial to draw considerable attention, not only because of the celebrity status of those involved but also due to the broader discussions it raises about workplace conduct, reputation management, and defamation within the entertainment industry.
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This is not the first time the It Ends With Us production has faced controversy. The film, which starred both Lively and Baldoni, was initially positioned as a high-profile adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel but later became mired in off-screen conflict that has overshadowed its release.
What’s next for Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
Both stars continue to maintain public silence about the current proceedings. However, sources close to the case suggest that discovery is ongoing, and the next few months could be crucial in determining whether Lively’s multi-million-dollar damages claim holds up in court.
If the allegations of reputational and financial harm are proven, the potential payout could be one of the largest individual defamation settlements in Hollywood history.
Do you think Blake Lively’s case will reshape how Hollywood handles reputational damage and defamation claims? Share your thoughts in the comments on InvestRecords.com!
