Blake Lively Responds to Court's Dismissal of Claims Against Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively's Reaction to Court Ruling
Blake Lively has publicly addressed the recent decision by federal judge Lewis J. Liman, who dismissed 10 out of 13 allegations she made against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni in the film It Ends With Us. Lively had accused Baldoni of harassment and defamation, with additional claims including breach of contract and retaliation. The remaining allegations are set to be heard in court on May 18. In a statement shared on Instagram, Lively expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to present her side of the story.
Blake Lively's Statement on the Case
In her statement, Lively criticized the media for framing her legal battle with Baldoni as mere ‘Celebrity Drama’. She described this portrayal as irresponsible, emphasizing that ‘Physical pain from digital violence is very real. It is abuse.’ Lively hopes her lawsuit will inspire other women to speak out against harassment and advocate for safer work environments, asserting, ‘My claims won't be the first or last time you'll see examples of the extreme dangers of retaliation and digital warfare.’
She further noted that ‘digital manipulation has been boasted as untraceable’ and mentioned that efforts to expose the systems and individuals causing harm have already commenced. Lively pledged to continue her fight for safer workplaces beyond the trial, stating, ‘I know it's a privilege to be able to stand up. I will not waste it.’
Reasons Behind the Court's Dismissal
On April 2, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed the harassment and defamation claims, explaining that under California law, the allegations did not apply since the alleged misconduct took place in New Jersey. Reports indicate that the judge informed Lively she could not pursue harassment and retaliation claims as she was classified as an independent contractor rather than an employee. Additionally, the judge dismissed her defamation claim against Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, but deemed her allegations of a ‘coordinated campaign’ against her character worthy of trial.