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Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Settle Lawsuit Before Trial

5/5/2026

Summary

Lively Settles Lawsuit

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settled their lawsuit on May 4 2026, two weeks before the May 18 trial.
Judge Lewis Liman dismissed ten of the thirteen claims from Lively’s December 2024 complaint, which alleged sexual harassment, retaliation and breach of contract, on April 2 2026, leaving three for trial.
Wayfarer Studios and Lively’s lawyers praised the film, which earned over $350 million worldwide, while Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit and defamation claim were dismissed in June 2025.

Summary

Baldoni Files Suit

The complaint says Baldoni used a “digital army” to post fabricated negative content about Lively as astroturfing.
Baldoni filed a $250-million libel suit against The New York Times, expanding the dispute.
Judge Lewis J. Liman scheduled a pre-trial hearing on expert-witness availability.
The judge ruled Lively was not an employee, highlighting Title VII challenges for independent contractors.
Lively’s May 5 Met Gala appearance signaled the settlement ended the public feud.

Summary

Lively MetGala Debut

Blake Lively arrived at the 2026 Met Gala in a 2006 Atelier Versace gown inspired by Rococo and Baroque art.
She wore a Judith Leiber clutch featuring her four children’s drawings.
Lorraine Schwartz supplied pink-sapphire, kunzite-diamond earrings and a 30-carat yellow-diamond/10-carat pink-sapphire ring set.
The “Costume Art” theme marked her first Met Gala appearance after a four-year hiatus.
She dismissed lawsuit queries and emphasized the gown’s sunrise-watercolor look in Vogue.

Summary

Lively Loses $100M

Blake Lively said the dispute cost her over $100 million in lost film roles and profit from a planned “It Ends With Us” sequel.
Industry analysts said she missed at least three $10-$15 million movies and a $15-$20 million sequel, and lawyers’ cost-benefit analysis pushed settlement before the May 18 trial.
Melissa Nathan warned about forwarding risky documents and claimed “we can bury anyone,” prompting studios to reassess aggressive PR tactics and crisis-management strategies.

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Lively Settles Lawsuit

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settled their lawsuit on May 4 2026, two weeks before the May 18 trial.
Judge Lewis Liman dismissed ten of the thirteen claims from Lively’s December 2024 complaint, which alleged sexual harassment, retaliation and breach of contract, on April 2 2026, leaving three for trial.
Wayfarer Studios and Lively’s lawyers praised the film, which earned over $350 million worldwide, while Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit and defamation claim were dismissed in June 2025.

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