Post by : Meena Ariff

Blake Lively, renowned actress and entrepreneur, is pursuing over US$160 million in damages, alleging that a smear campaign severely impacted her career and business interests during the release of It Ends With Us. Newly revealed court records detail the extent of Lively's claimed damages amid this ongoing legal struggle.

Substantial Financial Setbacks Highlighted in Lawsuit

Documents initially filed in July 2025 but recently unveiled reflect staggering financial repercussions. Lively claims to have lost approximately $56.2 million in both past and projected future earnings, affecting her acting career, speaking engagements, as well as endorsement contracts.

Moreover, the lawsuit indicates that Lively's businesses, including her haircare line Blake Brown and beverage brands Betty Buzz and Betty Booze, suffered losses totaling $71 million. The court filings also assert $34 million in damages for reputational harm stemming from what her team refers to as defamatory remarks targeting her personally and professionally.

Legal Team Amplifies Damage Estimates

When Lively filed her lawsuit on December 31, 2024, the initial damage estimate exceeded $75,000—a baseline for initiating the lawsuit. Recent disclosures have raised this estimate to a preliminary total of at least $161 million, with her attorneys also seeking punitive damages potentially tripling that figure.

The lawsuit underscores that the damage claims will be substantiated through expert testimony during the trial, currently set for March 2026.

This legal saga coincides with broader disputes involving It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, who countersued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million, alleging defamation and extortion. However, a recent ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman dismissed Baldoni’s claims after he failed to meet a court deadline for submitting an amended complaint.

Judge Liman pointed out that although Baldoni and his production team accused Lively of making defamatory statements, they failed to establish that those statements were made with sufficient doubt about their truthfulness, a key factor in defamation cases. The court also discarded Baldoni’s extortion allegations and his lawsuit against media entities reporting on Lively's sexual harassment claims.

Judicial Decisions and Continuing Legal Proceedings

The dismissal of Baldoni's countersuit followed the court's allowance for him to amend parts of his complaint concerning claims of tortious interference with contract and breach of implied covenant. However, the court rejected allegations that Lively misappropriated creative control over the film, deciding that those assertions did not satisfy the legal definition of extortion.

Judge Liman’s final ruling clarified that only statements made by Lively in her formal complaint enjoy legal protection, whereas other accusations from Reynolds and others against Baldoni have not been proven defamatory.

Baldoni's legal representation is considering an appeal against the dismissal, subject to the outcome of Lively’s motion for legal fees.

Lively’s Claims of Harassment and Retaliation

Lively originally filed her lawsuit claiming sexual harassment and retaliation associated with her involvement in It Ends With Us. She accuses Baldoni and others of orchestrating a calculated effort to damage her reputation following her formal allegations.

The lawsuit summarizes the significant financial and reputational damage stemming from this effort, which Lively argues directly influenced both her acting career and her business endeavors.

As the trial approaches in March 2026, the spotlight remains on this intricate legal drama involving prominent figures and substantial financial stakes, with both sides bracing for what is anticipated to be a complex and closely monitored case in both the entertainment and legal spheres.

#Global News #Entertainment News