Blake Lively’s legal team has described the settlement reached with Justin Baldoni as a “resounding victory” for the actress, following a highly publicised legal battle over sexual harassment allegations and an alleged smear campaign. The settlement, announced on Monday, brings an end to the contentious dispute that arose during the production of their 2024 film It Ends With Us.
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Lively’s lawyers, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, said: “This settlement is a resounding victory for Blake Lively. By agreeing to this settlement, and waiving their right to appeal, Justin Baldoni and every individual defendant now face personal liability for abusing the legal system to silence and intimidate Ms. Lively.” They added that the defendants had “ended once and for all the fiction that Ms. Lively ‘fabricated’ claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.”
Despite the celebratory tone, multiple outlets reported that no money changed hands between the parties. Meanwhile, according to Page Six Hollywood, the combined legal fees for both sides are estimated at $60 million. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, also characterised the settlement as a “huge victory” for his client.
The settlement comes just two weeks before the case was due to go to trial on 18 May. In a joint statement, the parties expressed hope that the resolution would “bring closure and allow all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”
However, a source close to the matter told Variety that Lively still has a pending motion for attorneys’ fees and damages in connection with Baldoni’s failed defamation suit. “Anyone purporting to confirm the terms of the confidential settlement at this point is misleading you,” the source said, adding that further details would appear on the court’s docket in the coming days.
