“The suit against me was defeated”- Blake Lively addresses Justin Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit dismissal, vows to keep fighting for women’s rights

Blake Lively addressed the dismissal of Justin Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against her in a June 9 Instagram Story. The 37-year-old actress framed the legal outcome as a victory for women’s rights advocacy while also acknowledging systemic inequities. She wrote:

"While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back."

She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting women’s "safety" and "dignity," linking resources to 19 organizations, such as the National Network to End Domestic Violence. The It Ends with Us actress also described experiencing "the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit" and "manufactured shame" designed to silence victims, writing,

"Like so many others, I've felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us."

Blake Lively's statement on her Instagram Story (Image via Instagram/@blakelively)

Lively's statement followed Judge Lewis J. Liman’s dismissal of Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against her, husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane on June 9, 2025. Meanwhile, on her Instagram Story, the Gossip Girl alum emphasized solidarity with "19 organizations united in defending women’s rights," further adding,

"I'm more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman's right to have a voice in protecting themselves..."

The legal conflict originated in December 2024 when Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni, her It Ends with Us co-star and director, of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Baldoni denied the allegations and countersued for defamation.

On Monday, June 9, the judge also dismissed Baldoni's $250 million libel claim against The New York Times for reporting Lively’s accusations. Meanwhile, Baldoni retains until June 23 to amend his claims "for breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract," as reported by Us Weekly on June 9.

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More about Blake Lively's legal proceedings and advocacy resolve

Blake at the It Ends With Us New York Premiere (Image via Getty)  

Blake Lively’s legal team has characterized the latest dismissal as a "total victory" and "complete vindication." As per Us Weekly, attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb stated Baldoni’s lawsuit was "a sham," further confirming their plans to seek attorneys’ fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer.

Furthermore, a source close to Blake Lively told Us Weekly the actress feels "relief and vindication," particularly regarding her decision to publicly address the harassment claims. Meanwhile, Judge Liman’s ruling did not affect Lively’s original lawsuit against Baldoni, which remains scheduled for trial in March 2026.

Lively's Instagram statement positioned the legal battle within broader efforts to protect women from retaliation, as she emphasized collaboration with advocacy groups. The actress signed off with gratitude to supporters, reiterating her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices.

“With love and gratitude for the many who stood by me, many of you I know. Many of you I don’t. But I will never stop appreciating or advocating for you. - B” she wrote in her Instagram Story.

The June 9 dismissal marked a procedural milestone in the ongoing dispute. Further, Blake Lively’s social media response prioritized systemic change over personal legal outcomes, redirecting attention to resource accessibility for harassment survivors.

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The March 2026 trial date stands as is for Lively’s initial harassment claims. Meanwhile, the deadline for Baldoni’s amended claims is June 23, but he has not yet commented on the latest development.