Judge Narrows Blake Lively’s Claims in Baldoni Case Ahead of Trial
Judge Narrows Blake Lively’s Claims in Baldoni Case Ahead of Trial
A federal judge narrows Blake Lively’s sexual harassment and defamation claims against Justin Baldoni, six weeks before the May 18 trial.
A federal judge has narrowed Blake Lively’s high-profile lawsuit against It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni and associated producers, trimming 10 of 13 claims as the case heads toward a May 18 trial in Manhattan federal court.
Under the ruling, only retaliation and breach of contract claims against the movie’s producers remain, along with an aiding-and-abetting retaliation claim against The Agency Group PR.
Lively alleged a disturbing sexual-harassment environment during production and a sophisticated, well-financed smear campaign after she spoke up.
In a 152-page decision, Judge Lewis Liman rejected Lively’s claim that an improvised moment during a slow-dance scene—where Baldoni whispered “it smells so good” while moving his lips from her ear down her neck—created a hostile work environment. The judge noted that even if the conduct occurred in filming, the social context and gender bias must be considered, and the behavior did not rise to a workplace-hostility threshold in this setting.
With most claims dismissed, the trial will focus on the remaining counts, and the May 18 date in Manhattan federal court remains set.
