The legal drama between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively just got messier. Justin Baldoni’s lawyers are doubling down, claiming Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, played a key role in an alleged scheme to smear the actor-director’s reputation.
Sloane, however, wants out of the case, calling it a “distraction” from Lively’s serious allegations against Baldoni.
The Lawsuit’s Latest Twist
In a March 6 filing, Baldoni’s team responded to Sloane’s motion to be removed from the lawsuit. They argue that she actively worked behind the scenes to push negative press about Baldoni, all to protect Lively’s image.
“In a desperate effort to salvage Lively’s reputation and to escape her wrath, the Sloane Parties conspired with Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times to make scapegoats of the Wayfarer Parties for Lively’s woes,” Baldoni’s attorneys wrote.
Sloane’s legal team has hit back, saying the claims are baseless and sexist. According to her lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, this is just another attempt to divert attention from the sexual harassment and retaliation accusations Lively has made against Baldoni.
The Battle Over Reputation
The lawsuit stems from Lively’s claims that Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of It Ends With Us. She also alleges that after she rejected him, his team launched a calculated public relations attack to discredit her. Baldoni, on the other hand, claims Lively used her influence to take over the creative direction of the movie and is now using the lawsuit as a power move.
This legal mess has dragged Ryan Reynolds and even The New York Times into the crossfire, with Baldoni accusing them of helping to “plant defamatory falsehoods.”
Baldoni’s Defense
Baldoni maintains that he did nothing wrong and that Lively’s allegations are an attempt to rewrite history. His team has painted him as a scapegoat, saying he has been “damaged beyond measure” by the public fallout.
Meanwhile, Sloane’s lawyers argue that Lively’s role as a producer has been unfairly criticized.
“Baldoni’s allegations about creative issues are irrelevant and tellingly sexist. Because Ms. Lively – an executive producer – dared to offer input on the script, wardrobe, and editing, Baldoni blasts her as ‘tyrannical’ and ‘aggressive.'”
What’s Next?
With a March 2026 trial date set, expect more twists, leaks, and public statements in the months ahead.
This legal war isn’t just about Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, it’s about the power dynamics in Hollywood, the role of PR spin, and who gets to control the narrative.
For now, both sides are digging in, and the battle lines are firmly drawn. Who will come out on top? That’s for the courts, and public opinion, to decide.
