Blake Lively will take the witness stand to testify during trial with Justin Baldoni, her lawyer says

CNN - May 9th, 2025

Blake Lively is set to testify in a legal case against Justin Baldoni, involving allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation. Her lawyer, Mike Gottlieb, confirmed that Lively plans to take the stand when the trial begins next year. The case stems from a complaint Lively filed with the California Civil Rights Department in December, which was followed by a lawsuit. Baldoni has denied these allegations, asserting they are false and damaging to his reputation, while Lively claims that Baldoni and his PR team orchestrated a campaign to damage her reputation during the promotion of their film, 'It Ends with Us.' Other women reportedly have raised similar claims about Baldoni's behavior on set, adding complexity to the case.

The trial, scheduled for March 2026, also involves a $400 million defamation lawsuit Baldoni filed against Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing him of meddling in the film's production and defaming him in 'Deadpool & Wolverine.' Gottlieb has moved to dismiss Reynolds from this lawsuit, describing the claims as baseless. Baldoni has also filed a libel suit against The New York Times, alleging inaccuracies in an article about the complaint. Both Lively and Baldoni's legal teams have stated they do not plan to settle the case, suggesting a prolonged legal battle ahead with significant implications for the involved parties and their careers.

Ryan Reynolds Sexual Harassment The New York Times Justin Baldoni Blake Lively Defamation Lawsuit It Ends With Us California Civil Rights Department

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of a complex legal dispute involving high-profile individuals. It effectively covers the main allegations and counter-allegations, supported by statements from the involved parties' attorneys. While the story is timely and has significant public interest due to the involvement of celebrities, it could benefit from more balanced coverage of both parties' perspectives and additional verification of some claims. The article is clear and readable, making the legal complexities accessible to a general audience, but it could enhance transparency by providing more context on the evidence and methodology. Overall, the article is a well-structured piece that captures the reader's attention while responsibly handling a sensitive topic.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as Blake Lively's intention to testify in the trial against Justin Baldoni and the nature of the allegations she has made. These claims are supported by statements from Lively's lawyer, Mike Gottlieb, which adds credibility. However, the article mentions allegations and counter-allegations that require further verification, such as the specific details of the harassment claims and the libel suit against the New York Times. The article accurately reflects the legal proceedings and the positions of both parties, but some aspects, like the exact nature of Ryan Reynolds' involvement, need more evidence.

Balance

The article provides perspectives from both sides of the legal battle, including statements from Lively's lawyer and Baldoni's attorney. However, it leans slightly towards Lively's side by providing more detailed information about her allegations and legal strategy. The coverage of Baldoni's defense is less comprehensive, mainly summarizing his denial of the allegations. The article could benefit from a more balanced exploration of Baldoni's perspective and the potential implications of his counterclaims.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and logically presents the sequence of events in the legal battle. The language is clear and concise, making the content accessible to a general audience. The use of quotes from the involved parties adds clarity to their positions. However, the article could benefit from a clearer explanation of the legal terms and processes involved to enhance reader understanding.

Source quality

The article cites credible sources such as statements from the involved parties' attorneys and references to legal documents. It also mentions reaching out to representatives for comment, which is a standard journalistic practice. However, the story relies heavily on statements from Lively's lawyer without equally detailed input from Baldoni's side or independent legal experts, which could enhance the overall source quality.

Transparency

The article provides some context about the legal proceedings and the background of the case. It mentions specific legal filings and the timeline of events, which aids transparency. However, it lacks detailed information on the methodology used to gather the information and any potential conflicts of interest. Greater transparency about the sources of the allegations and the evidence supporting them would improve the article's transparency.