A federal judge in New York has dismissed actress Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against actor and director Justin Baldoni related to their work on the film “It Ends With Us,” while allowing two retaliation claims to move forward. The ruling was issued by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman on April 3, 2026, ahead of a trial scheduled to begin May 18.
Lively filed suit against Baldoni and others in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment and other misconduct during the production of the movie. Baldoni has denied the harassment allegations, and his countersuit against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion was dismissed last June.
Judge Liman concluded that Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee, and thus sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees from discrimination, did not apply. He acknowledged the specific conduct Lively described—such as Baldoni gesturing as if to kiss her, touching her face and neck during filming, and making comments about her appearance—but ruled these actions occurred in the context of filming scenes and could be considered part of the creative process rather than harassment.
The judge wrote that if such behavior took place outside a creative setting, it might qualify as hostile work environment conduct. However, since Baldoni was performing in-character during these interactions, the court did not view the conduct as reaching the legal threshold for harassment claims under employment law.
Despite dismissing the sexual harassment claims, the court left intact two retaliation claims, allowing these to proceed to trial. Among the conduct supporting these claims were incidents where Baldoni allegedly dismissed warnings about inappropriate comments and pressured Lively to perform a nude birth scene in front of nonessential personnel. A breach of contract rider claim against the film’s production company also remains.
Baldoni’s attorneys said they were pleased the harassment claims were dismissed and looked forward to defending the remaining counts. Lively’s legal team emphasized that the case centers on retaliation and efforts to harm her reputation after raising safety concerns on set.
“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel about domestic violence, was released in August 2024 and exceeded box office expectations. However, the film’s release was accompanied by reports of conflict between Lively and Baldoni.
Why it matters
This ruling clarifies the limits of sexual harassment protections under Title VII for independent contractors in the entertainment industry, highlighting how creative contexts can complicate harassment claims. It also underscores the ongoing legal debate over retaliation claims, preserving those for jury consideration. The case will test how courts balance workplace safety with artistic expression in film production.
Background
Blake Lively is known for roles in films such as “The Town” and the television series “Gossip Girl.” Justin Baldoni gained recognition for his work on “Jane the Virgin” and directing films like “Five Feet Apart.” “It Ends With Us” marked a high-profile collaboration spotlighted by both commercial success and subsequent legal controversy. The lawsuit follows industry-wide scrutiny on conduct and protections on film sets.
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