Blake Lively no longer pursuing claims for emotional distress against Justin Baldoni

Actress Blake Lively is abandoning some of her claims against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.

This includes a request to withdraw and dismiss her claims of emotional distress against Baldoni.

It’s the latest volley in the ongoing legal battle over their behind-the-scenes conflict while filming the dark romantic drama.

Here’s a catch-up on all the latest.

Did Lively drop the lawsuit against Baldoni?

No.

However, she has dropped the 10th and 11th causes of action against Baldoni for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

The actor’s filing occurred after Baldoni’s legal team tried to gain access to her medical records and therapy notes in their effort to defend their client from Lively’s claim that she “suffered severe emotional distress and pain”.

In a letter addressed to Judge Lewis Liman, Baldoni’s lawyers said that “instead of complying” with their attempt to seek the relevant information, Lively instead withdrew those claims.

They allege that Lively is refusing “to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress”.

The Lively-Baldoni rift explained

Here’s a basic breakdown of what’s going on between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

In response, Lively’s lawyers said the legal move was a “routine part of the litigation process” and they were “streamlining and focusing” their case.

They also called the filing a “press stunt” and that Baldoni’s team were trying to get “another tired round of tabloid coverage”.

Despite Baldoni now having two fewer claims to defend himself against, there is a caveat.

Lively demanded to withdraw the claims without prejudice, meaning she could refile them at a later date.

Her other claims, including sexual harassment and retaliation, remain in the case that is set to go to trial in March 2026.

Baldoni drops Taylor Swift subpoena

Last month, artist Taylor Swift was subpoenaed as a witness in Baldoni’s lawsuit against his co-star.

Baldoni’s team initially claimed that Lively used her friend Swift’s “mega celebrity” status to pressure Baldoni to accept script rewrites by Lively for the film.

Swift spokesperson claims subpoena in Lively-Baldoni legal battle is ‘tabloid clickbait’

Taylor Swift’s subpoena in the It Ends With Us case is another attempt “to intimidate and attack women’s rights and reputations,” Lively’s spokesperson said.

Representatives for Swift said at the time “she was not involved in any casting or creative decision” and “never saw an edit or made any notes on the film”.

However, the subpoena was dropped weeks later, after Swift’s legal team objected that the order amounted to an “unwarranted fishing expedition”, Variety reported.

Lively’s lawyers said they were “pleased” the “inappropriate subpoenas” were withdrawn.

What happened between Lively and Baldoni?

The two actors have been engaged in a legal dispute since Lively sued Baldoni in 2024 following the release of their film It Ends With Us.

Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and a public smear campaign to “destroy” her reputation during the film’s promotion.

In a legal complaint, Lively claimed that Baldoni hired the services of Melissa Nathan — a crisis PR specialist whose previous clients include Johnny Depp — to aid in this effort.

In January 2025, Baldoni hit back, filing a lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds on claims of civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy.

His lawyers called the suit “shameful” and full of “categorically false accusations”.