Khaberni - A new legal development in the case of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, after the dismissal of most harassment charges along with the continuation of considering the claims for retaliation and breach of contract.
The case of American artist Blake Lively saw a significant legal development after the federal court in Manhattan issued a decision to dismiss the bulk of the lawsuit she filed against actor and director Justin Baldoni, concerning accusations of sexual harassment and defamation during the filming of the movie «It Ends With Us».
The ruling eliminated 10 out of 13 charges, including the harassment and defamation claims, while retaining a number of other accusations, notably the claims of retaliation and breach of contract against the producers, and an accusation of a public relations company assisting in what was described as a retaliatory campaign, with trial sessions set to begin on May 18th next year.
The details of the case go back to December 2024, when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni and the production company of unprofessional behavior during filming backscenes, alongside facing an organized digital defamation campaign after revealing those incidents.
In the reasons for the judgment, the judge addressed one of the controversial incidents, related to a slow dance scene, which Lively considered inappropriate, although the court deemed that what occurred did not exceed the bounds of theatrical performance and falls within the creative space within the artistic work.
Despite the dismissal of harassment charges, the verdict noted evidence of pressure Lively faced during the filming of some scenes, including a birth scene without providing a suitable filming environment, which could represent a breach of contract terms.
The court attributed the dismissal of harassment claims to Lively's legal status as an "independent contractor," which makes some laws inapplicable to her, with an emphasis on continuing to consider the remaining accusations in the next phase.
On her part, Lively's lawyer confirmed that the decision does not deny the validity of the accusations but relates to a legal classification, emphasizing her client's determination to pursue her right to litigate the accused regarding the claims of retaliation. In contrast, Baldoni's defense team welcomed the judgment, considering it an important step in the course of the case.
