The film “It Ends With Us,” featuring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, has ignited a fierce legal battle that has captivated Hollywood. What began as a collaboration on a romantic drama has escalated into serious allegations of sexual harassment, defamation claims, and a staggering lawsuit seeking $161 million in damages.
Blake Lively’s Damages Overview
Documents recently acquired by TMZ detail the extensive financial damages Blake Lively claims to have sustained from her association with Justin Baldoni, who directed and starred in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel. Lively’s legal team argues that Baldoni initiated a “smear campaign” that significantly harmed her professional and personal life.
The lawsuit outlines four primary categories of financial losses totaling approximately $161 million:
- $56.2 million in lost income from acting, producing, endorsements, and public speaking engagements.
- $49 million due to damage to her haircare brand, Blake Brown.
- $22 million linked to her beverage lines, Betty Buzz and Betty Booze.
- $34 million for reputational harm, citing 65 million negative social media impressions associated with Baldoni’s alleged actions.
The lawsuit asserts that Baldoni’s conduct during and after the filming process, which included efforts to discredit Lively publicly, derailed numerous business opportunities and creative projects.
(Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The Origin of the Legal Dispute
Lively initially filed her lawsuit in 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and misconduct during filming. She claimed that his behavior, including showing “nude videos” and making inappropriate comments about her body, created a hostile working environment. After confronting Baldoni about his actions alongside her husband, Ryan Reynolds, Lively alleged that Baldoni retaliated by attempting to tarnish her image during publicity events for the film.
In response to Lively’s allegations, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit, alleging defamation from Lively and Reynolds and asserting that they fabricated misconduct claims to damage his career. However, this countersuit was dismissed in June 2025, with a judge ruling that Baldoni could not pursue legal action regarding statements made in court documents. Subsequently, he missed a deadline to amend his original complaint, effectively concluding his countersuit.
What Lies Ahead
The case is poised for a significant courtroom presentation scheduled for March 2026 unless both parties can reach a settlement prior to that date. The upcoming trial is expected to attract substantial media attention, given the serious allegations and the financial stakes involved, as well as the broader implications for industry standards regarding workplace misconduct and celebrity reputations.
If successful, Lively’s claim for $161 million would be one of the largest amounts sought in connection with a Hollywood harassment case. This ongoing saga continues to blur the lines between cinematic narrative and real-world conflict.
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