Blake Lively’s legal representatives have countered Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit against The New York Times, asserting that nothing in Baldoni’s actions will alter the legitimacy of Lively’s allegations against him. Following a series of serious accusations made by the actress in December, the director of It Ends With Us has taken a notable legal step by suing the publication over a December 21 article titled “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.” However, sources close to Lively report that such countermeasures will ultimately prove ineffective, as the actress is poised for an "explosive start to the new year."
An insider disclosed to PEOPLE that Lively remains steadfast, believing firmly in the righteousness of her cause. Her legal team has also publicly addressed the 87-page complaint that Baldoni, alongside several other plaintiffs, filed on New Year’s Eve.
Baldoni has launched a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming libel, false light invasion of privacy, promissory fraud, and breach of implied contracts. The suit appears to be a strategic maneuver, coinciding with Lively’s sexual harassment allegations and suggesting a retaliatory smear campaign against her. Notably, Baldoni’s filings have implicated Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, alleging that the couple conspired to intimidate him, even accusing Lively of attempting a hostile takeover of It Ends With Us following filming by supposedly orchestrating his exclusion from the premiere.
In a statement released on January 2, Lively’s attorneys reiterated that Baldoni’s legal action does not undermine their client’s claims made to the California Civil Rights Department. They have invited the public to review Lively’s complaint in its entirety and express confidence in addressing all allegations raised by Baldoni’s production company in court. Further, Lively has advanced her legal stance by officially filing a federal complaint against Baldoni’s studio, asserting that they retaliated against her for voicing concerns regarding workplace safety and sexual harassment. The litigation occurs in New York, where many of the relevant events transpired, though Lively’s team has indicated willingness to pursue further action in additional jurisdictions if warranted.
Vocabulary List:
- Allegations /ˌæl.əˈɡeɪ.ʃənz/ (noun): Claims or assertions made without proof.
- Litigation /ˌlɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (noun): The process of taking legal action.
- Retaliatory /rɪˈtæl.i.əˌtɔː.ri/ (adjective): Characterized by retaliating; seeking revenge.
- Implicated /ˈɪmplɪˌkeɪtɪd/ (verb): Involved in something often in a way that suggests guilt.
- Countermeasures /ˈkaʊn.tərˌmeʒ.ərz/ (noun): Actions taken to counteract or offset another action.
- Claims /kleɪmz/ (noun): Statements that something is true typically without proof.
