Los Angeles, California — Blake Lively is poised to testify in her upcoming legal battle against Justin Baldoni, a case that centers on allegations of sexual harassment and subsequent retaliation. Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, announced on Thursday that she will take the stand when the trial commences next year.
“This case addresses serious accusations of harassment on set and the retaliation Blake faced afterward. She will absolutely testify,” they stated.
Lively’s accusations stem from a complaint filed in December with the California Civil Rights Department, which preceded a lawsuit against Baldoni filed shortly thereafter. In her legal filings, she alleges Baldoni and his public relations team launched a “social manipulation campaign” to tarnish her name while promoting their upcoming film, “It Ends With Us.”
Gottlieb emphasized the importance of Lively’s testimony, noting, “The ultimate moment for a plaintiff’s story to be told is at trial.” He expressed confidence that Lively’s account would resonate with the court.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, responded to Lively’s claims, asserting that the truth is evidenced through various forms of documentation and footage. He characterized the situation as challenging for Lively, but maintained that the veracity of the facts should remain central to the discussion.
An amended complaint filed in February included assertions that other women have made similar complaints regarding Baldoni’s conduct on set. Freedman has previously denied all allegations, claiming they are “false” and aim to sensationalize the media narrative at Lively’s expense.
Regarding Lively’s husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, Gottlieb was hesitant to confirm whether Reynolds would testify but labeled Baldoni’s accusations against him as “frivolous.” Reynolds, along with Lively, is named as a defendant in a $400 million defamation lawsuit Baldoni filed in January.
Baldoni has claimed that Reynolds interfered with the film, alleging he made unauthorized changes to the script and even confronted him personally about the project. In a separate legal action, Baldoni has also sued The New York Times for allegedly disseminating false information regarding the complaints raised.
Gottlieb has moved to have Reynolds removed from Baldoni’s lawsuit, arguing that the claims against him are baseless and reflect only hurt feelings. He indicated that if Reynolds were dismissed as a defendant, his involvement as a witness would depend on the overall proceedings.
Additional witnesses are expected to support Lively’s allegations, as some individuals have reportedly witnessed or experienced relevant misconduct on set. Lively’s team aims to present a robust case as they prepare for what promises to be a contentious trial, with proceedings set to take place in March 2026.
Both Lively and Baldoni’s legal representatives have indicated a firm commitment to pursuing this case in court, with no intentions of reaching a settlement.