Judge Lewis Liman dismissed the actress and other defendants’ claims on jurisdictional grounds
A United States federal judge dismissed most of Blake Lively’s arguments in her lawsuit against Justin Baldoniincluding allegations that he sexually harassed her while filming the 2024 romantic drama “É Assim Que Acaba.” The ruling was issued by District Judge Lewis Liman in Manhattan.
Liman dismissed Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Baldoni and other defendants on jurisdictional grounds, saying she sued under California law and the alleged wrongful conduct occurred elsewhere.
According to the judge, Lively may file retaliatory action against Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, as well as a contract action and an aiding and abetting action against several defendants.
In asking for the charges to be dismissed, Baldoni’s attorney, Jonathan Bach, argued during a Jan. 22 hearing that Lively’s case was based on trivial “minor offenses” that, taken together, did not support her hostile workplace claim.
Lively’s lawyer, Esra Hudson, argued that Baldoni crossed the line on several occasions, including deviating from the script by adding unnecessary sexual content.
Remember the case
Disclosure/Sony Pictures
Lively, 38, sued Baldoni, Wayfarer and others in December 2024, seeking unspecified damages for alleged harassment, defamation, invasion of privacy and violations of federal and state civil rights laws. THE case attracted famous people such as singer Taylor Swift, model Gigi Hadid and actor Hugh Jackman, who may, according to Lively, have information that supports their allegations.
She complained that the defendants created a sexually charged atmosphereduring the film’s production and then planned to silence her and others from speaking out about the hostile environment they created.
Baldoni, 42, argued that he addressed Lively’s concerns as soon as she raised them and that he had the right to hire a crisis management firm after Lively began publicly belittling him.
This Is How It Ends
“This Is How It Ends” starred Lively as a flower shop owner who marries a neurosurgeon played by Baldoni. His character becomes abusive, reminding Lively’s character of her parents’ relationship, and the marriage falls apart after Lively’s character reconnects with her first love, who became a chef and restaurant owner. Despite mixed reviews, the film grossed more than $351 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.v
*Reuters
