Blake Lively has withdrawn her claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress against Justin Baldoni, according to recent legal filings. The 37-year-old actress made the request on June 2 amid the ongoing court dispute with Baldoni, her It Ends with Us director and co-star.
Baldoni’s attorney, Kevin Fritz, filed a letter with U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman in New York seeking an order to compel Lively to provide access to her medical and mental health records by signing a HIPAA release. Fritz argued that instead of complying, Lively chose to withdraw her emotional distress claims “without prejudice,” which he said allows her to avoid disclosing information necessary to refute those claims while keeping the option to refile later.
Lively’s legal team, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, responded by calling the move “a routine part of the litigation process” and dismissed Baldoni’s actions as a “press stunt.” They emphasized that Lively still alleges emotional distress within other claims in the lawsuit, including sexual harassment and retaliation, which carry significant compensatory damages.
The conflict between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024 when Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against him related to the filming of It Ends with Us, accusing him of misconduct and a retaliatory smear campaign—claims Baldoni denies. Baldoni countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicists in January, alleging extortion and defamation. The case is set for trial in March 2026.
In her original filing, Lively described the “extreme” emotional impact of Baldoni’s conduct on her and her family. Speaking to The New York Times in December, she expressed hope that her legal action would expose “sinister retaliatory tactics” used against those who speak up about misconduct and protect others who might face similar targeting.
