Blake Lively has moved to withdraw two key claims—intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress—from her sexual harassment lawsuit against “It Ends With Us” director Justin Baldoni.
The surprise legal maneuver comes after Baldoni’s attorneys demanded access to Lively’s therapy notes and medical history to counter her allegations of “severe emotional distress.” A California court must now decide whether to dismiss the claims or compel the actress to disclose sensitive mental health records.
Baldoni’s Team Alleges “Press Stunt” as Lively Refiles Strategy
Court documents reveal Baldoni’s frustration that Lively refused to withdraw her emotional distress claims “with prejudice,” leaving the door open to refile them later. Her legal team fired back, calling the medical records request a retaliatory tactic and asserting their case is now “streamlined” to focus on core claims of sexual harassment, retaliation, and defamation.
The “Gossip Girl” star continues seeking substantial damages, with her attorneys warning Baldoni’s countersuit for civil extortion and invasion of privacy has exposed him to greater liability under California law.
Why It Matters
The dispute stems from creative clashes during the 2023 adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, where Lively starred as abuse survivor Lily Bloom.
Baldoni’s January 2024 countersuit dragged Ryan Reynolds into the fray, accusing the couple of defamation—a claim that gained brief notoriety when Taylor Swift was subpoenaed about alleged script interference before her legal team quashed the “fishing expedition.”
