When Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni joined forces for the cinematic adaptation of “It Ends With Us,” based on Colleen Hoover’s popular novel, few anticipated that their professional partnership would devolve into one of the entertainment industry’s most contentious legal dramas. Initially a romantic film project, it has since transformed into a real-world courtroom battle, rife with accusations of sexual harassment, defamation claims, and a colossal demand for $161 million in damages.

Recently unveiled court documents, accessed by TMZ, reveal that Lively has accused Baldoni, who took on dual roles as director and co-star in the 2024 release, of orchestrating a “smear campaign” against her. Lively’s legal representation contends that this alleged campaign inflicted significant personal and professional setbacks, costing her tens of millions in potential earnings, endorsements, and business opportunities, while also tarnishing her public image beyond repair.

The Breakdown of Lively’s Damages

In these documents, Lively’s legal team itemizes four primary categories of financial losses, amounting to approximately $161 million. The lawsuit asserts that Baldoni’s conduct during and following the film’s production, which Lively claims included a media campaign to undermine her, disrupted numerous business and creative endeavors she was pursuing.

• $56.2 million in lost acting, producing, endorsement, and public speaking income.
• $49 million in damage to her haircare company, Blake Brown.
• $22 million in losses tied to her beverage line, Betty Buzz and Betty Booze.
• $34 million in reputational harm, citing 65 million negative social media impressions linked to Baldoni’s alleged actions.

Originally, in 2024, Lively took legal action against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and misconduct on set. Her allegations include claims that Baldoni made her uncomfortable by displaying “nude videos,” discussing intimate encounters, and “fat-shaming” her. The suit also states that after Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds confronted Baldoni, he retaliated by attempting to “destroy her reputation” during promotional activities for the movie.

(Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

The Roots of the Legal Feud

Baldoni has refuted all allegations and launched a $400 million countersuit, alleging that Lively and Reynolds defamed him and concocted the misconduct allegations to sabotage his career. However, this case was dismissed in June 2025 when a judge determined that Baldoni could not pursue legal action over statements made in court filings. He missed a subsequent deadline on October 31 to amend his complaint, effectively terminating his countersuit.

Baldoni denied all allegations and filed a $400 million countersuit, accusing Lively and Reynolds of defamation and claiming they had fabricated misconduct claims to ruin his career. That case was dismissed in June 2025 after a judge ruled that Baldoni could not sue for statements made in legal filings. He later missed an October 31 deadline to amend his complaint, effectively ending the countersuit.

What Comes Next

The latest development sets the stage for a high-profile courtroom showdown scheduled for March 2026, unless the two sides reach a settlement beforehand. The case is expected to draw intense media attention, not only because of the massive dollar figures involved but also due to the broader industry implications surrounding workplace misconduct, retaliation, and celebrity reputation management.

If successful, Lively’s $161 million claim would rank among the largest personal-damages awards ever sought in a Hollywood harassment-related case. For now, it adds another explosive chapter to an increasingly acrimonious feud that has blurred the lines between movie drama and real-life scandal.