(NewsNation) — The ongoing drama involving “It Ends With Us” co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken an unexpected twist, as recent court filings reveal that some allegations against Baldoni have been retracted.
On Monday, Lively submitted a request to drop her initial claims of emotional distress. By Tuesday, Judge Lewis Liman, who is presiding over the case, decided that these claims would no longer proceed. It was Lively’s allegations of emotional distress that prompted Baldoni’s attorneys to seek her medical records, which included therapy notes and details about her mental health professionals.
Judge Liman stated that Baldoni’s request for medical records is denied “based on (Lively’s) representation that the relevant claims will be withdrawn.” He mentioned that Lively was reluctant to disclose such information but wanted to maintain the option to re-file her claims in the future.
However, Liman decided that “Ms. Lively cannot have it both ways,” and closed the case completely. Now, Lively cannot change her mind and provide medical records to keep the lawsuit alive.
Blake Lively’s attorneys cannot use evidence of alleged distress in court
Now,. Lively’s attorneys cannot use evidence of her alleged emotional distress in her case. Baldoni’s attorneys declined to comment on this ruling, according to Variety.
Lively’s lawyers have said that Baldoni’s lawyers’ requesting her medical information is a “press stunt” and filed their own, urging the court to sanction attorneys for Baldoni, claiming they abused the docket.
-
This combination of images shows Blake Lively at the London screening of the film “It ‘Ends With Us” on Aug. 8, 2024, left, and Justin Baldoni at the world premiere of the film in New York on Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 06: (L-R) Hugh Jackman
, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds attend the “It Ends With Us” New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on August 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 22: (L-R) Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Gigi Hadid and Hugh Jackman attend the Deadpool & Wolverine World Premiere at the David H. Koch Theater on July 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Disney) -
FILE – Blake Lively appears at the screening for the film “It ‘Ends With Us'” in London on Aug. 8, 2024. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP, File) -
Actress Blake Lively attends the LACMA Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in Los Angeles, California, on November 2, 2024. (Photo by Etienne LAURENT / AFP) -
JERSEY CITY, NJ – JANUARY 12: Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively are seen on the set of “It Ends with Us” on January 12, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) -
This image released by Sony Pictures shows Justin Baldoni, left, and Blake Lively in a scene from “It Ends With Us.” (Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures via AP) -
FILE – Blake Lively poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK Gala Screening for the film ‘It ‘Ends With Us’ on Thursday, Aug, 8, 2024 in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP, File) -
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: Blake Lively attends the UK Gala Screening of “It Ends With Us” at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on August 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images) -
Hugh Jackman, from left, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Tammy Reynolds, and Brandon Sklenar attend the world premiere of “It Ends with Us” at AMC Lincoln Square on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) -
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the world premiere of “A Simple Favor” at The Museum of Modern Art on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) -
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 02: Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds attend the premiere for “A Quiet Place” at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on April 2, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
“It is based on two brazenly false assertions. First, they claim that Ms. Lively has ‘refused’ to disclose medical and mental health information, but as counsel for the Wayfarer Parties concede, that information is relevant only to Ms. Lively’s stand-alone tort-based emotional distress claims that she indicated she was withdrawing,” the Lively filing claimed.
Justin Baldoni’s foundation closes
As these legal battles continue, it was announced that Baldoni’s foundation, Wayfarer Foundation, would be closing. Baldoni co-owned the foundation with producing partner Steve Sarowitz.
Sarowitz announced the closing on Instagram, saying, “Upon unanimous decision of the board of directors, today (May 2) we will begin the process of sunsetting the Foundation. We will honor all of our current grant commitments as we carefully wind down operations over the next several weeks.”
Baldoni had been on the foundation since 2016 as a board member.
Blake Lively sues Justin Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment
All of this comes after Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment. One insider told NewsNation in February that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, “have no idea what’s coming down the pike.”
Another source told NewsNation in February that no one wanted to work with Lively since the lawsuits started.
Then, Baldoni filed a suit that claimed he had to deal with being defamed and alleged extortion attempts. He had also filed a libel suit against the New York Times before it was paused in March. A trial for the Lively suit against Baldoni has been scheduled for March 2026.
