Blake Lively Seeks to Block Prejudicial Evidence in Justin Baldoni Trial
As the high-profile legal battle between actress Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni moves closer to trial, Lively is taking aggressive steps to prevent jurors from hearing evidence she claims could unfairly bias the proceedings. In a series of newly filed motions, Lively has accused Baldoni's legal team of attempting to inundate the trial with what she describes as irrelevant gossip, character attacks, and details about her personal wealth.
Efforts to Exclude Negative Press and Character Evidence
Lively's legal representatives are urging the court to bar references to negative news articles and online discussions that portray her as a bully or a 'mean girl.' They argue that such material, including text messages among Hollywood executives and clips from the film Deadpool & Wolverine, constitutes inadmissible hearsay and improper character evidence. According to the filings, Baldoni's camp is allegedly trying to put Lively's character on trial rather than focusing on the factual core of the dispute.
Among the specific items Lively wants excluded are articles from 2009 and 2014 that contain controversial remarks and criticisms of her wedding to actor Ryan Reynolds. Her lawyers contend that allowing this evidence would lead jurors to draw adverse conclusions about her character without relevance to the case.
Net Worth and Witness Testimony Under Scrutiny
Lively is also seeking to block any discussion of her and Reynolds' estimated $400 million net worth, arguing that it is irrelevant and could trigger biases against wealthy individuals among the jury. Additionally, she objects to testimony from journalist Kjersti Flaa, who conducted a 2016 interview with Lively that resurfaced during the controversy. Lively's team claims Flaa's testimony would unfairly characterize her as rude and perpetuate negative stereotypes.
In response, Baldoni's lawyers have argued that the negative press coverage emerged organically and is pertinent to the case. They have also filed motions to exclude testimony from certain witnesses, including author Colleen Hoover and co-stars Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer, deeming their involvement limited or potentially confusing for the jury.
Background and Narrowed Claims
The legal saga stems from Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni, filed in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us and retaliation by his production company, Wayfarer Studios. Baldoni has denied all claims and previously filed a $400 million countersuit for defamation and extortion, which was dismissed by a judge. Recently, the case has been significantly narrowed, with a judge tossing out 10 of Lively's 13 claims, including those for sexual harassment and defamation.
The trial is now scheduled to proceed on May 18 in Manhattan Federal Court, focusing on Lively's remaining claims of breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation. Both sides have engaged in a flurry of legal filings, with over 70 documents submitted in early April as they prepare for the proceedings.
Additional Evidence and Celebrity Involvement
Lively's motions also target internal text messages from Sony Pictures executives, which discuss her behavior on set, including efforts to edit the film. Her attorneys label these messages as incomplete and misleading. Furthermore, she aims to exclude references to the 'Nicepool' character from Deadpool & Wolverine, which Baldoni's team believes mocks him, arguing it is irrelevant and designed to cast him as a victim.
The trial is expected to feature testimony from Lively, Reynolds, and other witnesses, with text messages involving Taylor Swift likely to be presented as exhibits, though Swift will not testify in person. The outcome of these pre-trial motions could significantly influence the jury's perception and the overall direction of the case.
