New York, March 21, 2025 – The ongoing legal feud between Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, stemming from their collaboration on the 2024 film It Ends With Us, has taken a dramatic turn with Baldoni’s recent filing of an answer to Lively’s First Amended Complaint (FAC). Legal analyst Leanne Newton, known on X as @kiarajade2001, has provided detailed insights into the document, shedding light on the contentious dynamics between the two actors and their respective teams.
Baldoni’s response, filed in the Southern District of New York, primarily consists of standard admit-or-deny responses to Lively’s allegations, which accuse him of sexual harassment, misconduct, and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign during and after the production of the film. However, Newton highlights several key points that reveal the escalating tension between the parties. Baldoni categorically denies Lively’s claims of sexual harassment, misconduct, or any retaliatory actions, asserting that Lively has mischaracterized nearly all communications and references to his public work, including his book, podcast, and TED talk.
🚨BALDONI’S ANSWER TO LIVELY’S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT (FAC)🚨
1. I’m not going to cover everything as it’s mostly standard admit/deny responses to Lively’s complaint. I will quote and comment the parts that I found interesting.
I will make a point of doing separate threads for…
— Leanne Newton (@kiarajade2001) March 21, 2025
One notable rebuttal in Baldoni’s filing addresses Lively’s assertion that production on It Ends With Us shut down on June 14, 2023. Baldoni refutes this, clarifying that production resumed without further issues, ultimately leading to the film’s commercial success. This contradiction underscores the differing narratives each party is presenting in court, as Lively’s claims suggest a hostile work environment, while Baldoni insists the project proceeded smoothly post-resumption.
Newton points to an intriguing exchange detailed in paragraph 42 of Baldoni’s response. Lively alleged in her FAC that Wayfarer Studios, Baldoni’s production company, was asked to issue a statement accepting accountability for production oversight. Baldoni’s counterclaim, however, paints a different picture, admitting that Lively demanded he issue a statement drafted by her representatives—a statement Newton describes as potentially malicious, designed not just to hold Baldoni accountable but to mock his personal and professional values. This accusation hints at a deeper personal and professional rift, with Baldoni suggesting Lively’s actions were driven by malice.
2. There are a lot of denials or assertion of lack of knowledge so I won’t cover them. It’s safe to say, Baldoni denies any allegations relating to sexual harassment, misconduct or a retaliatory smear campaign.
Baldoni also accuses Lively of mischaracterising almost all…
— Leanne Newton (@kiarajade2001) March 21, 2025
Further, Baldoni denies specific allegations, such as describing Lively as “sexy” personally, as claimed in paragraph 100, and clarifies in paragraph 108 that his contact with a wellness expert was to assist Lively with strep throat, not related to concerns about her weight, as she alleged. These denials are supported by text messages, according to Newton, adding a layer of documentary evidence to Baldoni’s defense.
Perhaps most striking are Baldoni’s 29 affirmative defenses, outlined in his filing and detailed by Newton. These defenses include claims that Lively’s complaint fails to state a valid claim, that she lacks standing, and that she acted with “unclean hands”—a legal term suggesting her own misconduct bars her from seeking relief. Baldoni also invokes the First Amendment, arguing that Lively’s claims are barred by constitutional protections, and asserts that she failed to mitigate any alleged damages, potentially reducing her recovery if proven.
4. The interesting bit… the defenses (there are 29 in total)
AFFIRMATIVE AND OTHER DEFENSES
As separate and distinct defences to Plaintiff’s Complaint, and each purported cause of
action contained therein, Defendant alleges as follows:FIRST DEFENSE: The Complaint, and each…
— Leanne Newton (@kiarajade2001) March 21, 2025
Newton notes that Baldoni’s invocation of attorney-client privilege regarding public statements made by his attorney, Bryan Freedman, adds another layer of complexity, shielding certain communications from disclosure. The analyst plans to create separate threads analyzing responses from other Wayfarer parties, including Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz, as well as entities like It Ends With Us Movie LLC and Wayfarer Studios, indicating the breadth of the legal battle.
This legal skirmish follows Lively’s December 2024 complaint to the California Civil Rights Department, alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign, and Baldoni’s subsequent $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, filed in January 2025. As the case unfolds, it continues to captivate Hollywood, raising questions about workplace dynamics, public relations strategies, and the intersection of celebrity and litigation.
The filings, accessible via Court Listener or PACER, underscore a high-stakes battle with far-reaching implications for both parties’ reputations and careers. Newton’s analysis on X provides a valuable window into the legal intricacies, offering fans and observers a deeper understanding of this Hollywood drama as it plays out in the courtroom.
