Justin Baldoni Sues The New York Times for $250 Million Over Blake Lively Harassment Allegations

Actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni, 40, has taken legal action following explosive allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign by his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively. However, Baldoni’s lawsuit isn’t directed at Lively but rather at The New York Times.

Baldoni, alongside publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, has filed a $250 million libel and false light invasion of privacy lawsuit against The Times over its article titled “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.” According to Variety, the lawsuit accuses the publication of “promissory fraud and breach of implied-in-fact contract.” The plaintiffs allege that the story relied on “‘cherry-picked’ and altered communications stripped of necessary context and deliberately spliced to mislead.”

Blake Lively’s Allegations

The controversy stems from Lively’s claims, included in an 80-page letter reportedly filed with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging that Baldoni repeatedly entered her makeup trailer uninvited, including during times when she was undressed or breastfeeding. One purported instance cited Baldoni entering while Lively was pumping breast milk.

Baldoni’s legal team disputes these allegations, pointing to a text message allegedly from Lively, which read: “I’m just pumping in my trailer if you wanna work out our lines.” Baldoni argues that this text contradicts Lively’s narrative.

The Lawsuit’s Claims

Baldoni’s lawsuit accuses The New York Times of relying “almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative” while disregarding evidence that allegedly contradicts her claims. The legal filing states, “The Times story relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative, lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives.”

The lawsuit also highlights that Lively has not formally filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, or any of the plaintiffs, a move Baldoni’s team suggests was strategic. “Notably, Lively chose not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer, or any of the Plaintiffs — a choice that spared her from the scrutiny of the discovery process, including answering questions under oath and producing her communications,” the lawsuit notes.

The Fallout

The legal battle has intensified the already high-profile drama surrounding the It Ends With Us production, drawing public attention to allegations of misconduct and the media’s role in reporting such claims. While Baldoni and his co-plaintiffs seek to clear their names, Lively has yet to comment publicly on the lawsuit or her original claims.

Representatives for Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and The New York Times have not responded to requests for further comment.