The Powers That Be: Daily Blake Lively's Legal Boost
Jun 12, 2025
Eriq Gardner, author of Puck's What I'm Hearing Plus newsletter, dives into the recent legal developments involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. He explains how a judge dismissed many of Baldoni's claims, potentially emboldening other stars to speak out. The conversation also highlights the shifting landscape of Hollywood lawsuits, drawing parallels to other high-profile cases while discussing public perception fueled by social media. Eriq offers keen insights into the implications these legal battles hold for the entertainment industry.
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Background of Baldoni-Lively Lawsuit
- The Baldoni-Lively lawsuit originated from allegations of sexual harassment and defamation after their movie "It Ends With Us."
- The case involved dueling lawsuits with serious claims but saw a recent judge ruling favoring Blake Lively.
Judge's Ruling Shields Lively
- The judge dismissed most of Baldoni's defamation claims, considering amendments futile, which stacks the deck in Lively's favor.
- Many legal protections and privileges shield complaints about workplace harassment, complicating such defamation claims.
Legal Strategy Influenced by Past Cases
- The case has parallels with Depp-Heard, but Lively's team learned from past missteps and used legal privileges cleverly.
- Despite strong public discourse and division, the dismissal of defamation claims reflects legal realities, not just public opinion.