Blake Lively withdraws her emotional distress claim against Justin Baldoni — but the reason behind her decision reveals just how personal this legal battle has become.
According to new court filings, Blake Lively is withdrawing her emotional distress claim — not because the trauma wasn’t real, but because defending it would’ve required turning over her private medical and therapy records.
Yes, really. That’s what Baldoni’s legal team demanded in discovery: full access to Lively’s most sensitive health information to challenge her claim. In response, her lawyers hinted at pulling the allegation entirely — and now, they’ve followed through.
What Was the Claim?
Lively originally alleged that Baldoni “intentionally and negligently” caused her emotional distress during the filming of It Ends With Us. The accusation was part of a broader lawsuit that includes sexual harassment, workplace retaliation, and career sabotage.
But emotional distress cases are tough to prove — and even tougher when the defense is pushing to open your therapy notes in court.
Why Pulling It Might’ve Been Strategic
Legal insiders say the withdrawal is a tactical move to protect her privacy, especially with a high-profile trial looming. Mental health records are incredibly invasive territory, and courts often allow access if plaintiffs argue their emotional wellbeing was harmed.
So, rather than hand over years of personal information, Lively chose to drop the claim — without letting go of the bigger case.
Baldoni’s $400 Million Counterpunch
Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni isn’t just denying everything — he’s suing Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400 million, alleging defamation and a deliberate smear campaign to ruin his reputation.
The latest filings show how heated things have become. Just this week, Baldoni’s team filed a motion asking the court to force Lively to sign a HIPAA waiver. Her side responded by confirming their plan to remove the distress claim from the suit.
But the Fight Isn’t Over
Even without that claim, Lively is still pressing ahead with:
- Sexual harassment accusations
- Retaliation after she allegedly spoke up
- Reputational harm she says damaged her standing in Hollywood
So yes — she’s pulled one thread. But the legal sweater? Still unraveling.
A Trial With Star Power
The drama could reach peak visibility when the trial starts on March 9, 2026. And while Taylor Swift was previously subpoenaed (yes, seriously), Baldoni’s team dropped that move last month. Still, the sheer celebrity weight of the case keeps it in the headlines.
