Hollywood is no stranger to high-stakes legal battles, but the ongoing clash between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken the industry by storm. What started as creative differences on the set of It Ends With Us has spiraled into a multi-million-dollar lawsuit filled with accusations of sexual harassment, defamation, and a calculated smear campaign. With both sides aggressively defending their positions, the legal fight is becoming one of the most talked-about controversies in the entertainment world.
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At the center of this legal war is Leslie Sloane, Lively’s longtime publicist, who has filed a motion to dismiss herself from Baldoni’s countersuit. The lawsuit, which seeks $400 million in damages, claims Sloane masterminded a campaign to tarnish Baldoni’s reputation. However, Sloane’s legal team argues that she was unfairly dragged into the case as a distraction from the real issue—Lively’s claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. Her attorneys maintain that Baldoni’s allegations lack any factual basis and that the statements he cites as defamatory are either opinions or, in many cases, true.
Lively’s lawsuit, which was recently amended, details shocking allegations against Baldoni, accusing him of unwanted physical contact and inappropriate behavior on set. The actress claims that when she voiced her concerns, Baldoni and his team retaliated by orchestrating an online smear campaign to discredit her. Adding fuel to the fire, two other actresses—reportedly Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer—are now prepared to testify about their own experiences with Baldoni, strengthening Lively’s case.
"/>Sloane’s defense hinges on the argument that her statements do not meet the legal threshold for defamation. Her legal team points out that Baldoni has not outright denied many of Lively’s allegations but instead attempted to justify his actions. The filing also highlights that in some cases, Baldoni’s own legal team has failed to dispute claims of inappropriate behavior, instead focusing on reframing the narrative.
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage; Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty
Beyond the legal documents, this case is exposing the power struggles within Hollywood, particularly the influence of public relations firms in shaping public perception. PR professionals typically work behind the scenes, but this lawsuit has put the industry’s crisis management tactics under scrutiny. Baldoni’s team has accused Sloane of orchestrating a character assassination, while Sloane’s attorneys argue that Baldoni is attempting to weaponize the courts to silence Lively and her supporters.
The legal battle is far from over, with a trial set for 2026. As more details emerge, the case is likely to have lasting implications for how Hollywood handles allegations of misconduct and the role of PR in celebrity scandals. For now, both sides remain locked in a bitter dispute, with reputations, careers, and hundreds of millions of dollars on the line.
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