Court Drops Blake Lively’s Harassment Case in a Shocking Legal Setback

Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against her “It Ends With Us” co‑star Justin Baldoni were tossed out this week, but the legal storm is far from over. A federal judge ruled that Lively couldn’t bring harassment claims under federal employment law — yet several retaliation claims survived, meaning the most explosive allegations will still be aired in court. What looked like a clean win for Baldoni is really just the opening act of a much messier showdown.

A Ruling That Shifts the Ground — But Doesn’t End the Fight

The decision came down Thursday in Manhattan, where Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims on the grounds that she was an independent contractor, not an employee — a key distinction under Title VII. According to PBS, Liman wrote that the conduct Lively described had to be interpreted within the context of filming “It Ends With Us,” where Baldoni was performing in character during intimate scenes.

But the judge didn’t exactly let Baldoni off the hook. He acknowledged that some of the behavior Lively alleged — like Baldoni leaning in, touching her face, and commenting on her appearance — would absolutely raise red flags in a traditional workplace. Still, he concluded that the actions weren’t “so far beyond” what might occur during a romantic slow‑dance scene that they automatically proved harassment.

CBS News highlighted the same tension: the judge recognized the discomfort Lively described, but ultimately ruled that the law didn’t apply the way she hoped.

Retaliation Claims Survive — And They’re Heading to Trial

Here’s where things get messy. While the sexual harassment claims were dismissed, two retaliation claims and a breach‑of‑contract claim remain very much alive.

That means a jury will still hear:

• Lively’s allegations about Baldoni’s on‑set behavior.
• Her claims that she faced retaliation after raising concerns.
• Her accusations that the production mishandled safety and boundaries during filming of “It Ends With Us.”

CBS News reports that Lively’s legal team is framing the surviving claims as the heart of the case — arguing that the defendants tried to “destroy Blake Lively’s reputation because she stood up for safety on the set.”

Her attorney, Sigrid McCawley, told CBS, “For Blake Lively, the greatest measure of justice is that the people and the playbook behind these coordinated digital attacks have been exposed.”

That’s not the language of someone backing down. That’s someone gearing up.

Baldoni’s Team Calls It a Win — But It’s Complicated

Justin Baldoni’s attorneys, meanwhile, told CBS they were “very pleased” the sexual harassment claims were dismissed, calling them “very serious allegations.” They emphasized that the case is now “significantly narrowed.”

But “narrowed” doesn’t mean “safe.”

The retaliation claims allow Lively’s team to introduce much of the same evidence — meaning the public will still hear about:

• Baldoni allegedly commenting “pretty hot,” when Lively removed her jacket.
• His alleged remark: “Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training.”
• The dispute over filming a birth scene without closing the set.
• Lively’s claims that other women felt uncomfortable on set.

Even without the Title VII claims, the trial is poised to drag both stars — and the “It Ends With Us” production — through a very public reckoning.

A Film Already Haunted by Rumors Now Faces a Legal Spotlight

“It Ends With Us” was supposed to be a prestige adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Instead, it’s become a magnet for behind‑the‑scenes controversy.

Both PBS and CBS note that the film’s 2024 release was overshadowed by speculation about tension between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The box office numbers were strong, but the off‑screen narrative kept pulling focus — and now, with a trial set for May 18, that narrative is about to explode into full view.

This isn’t just a Hollywood spat. It’s a collision of workplace boundaries, creative freedom, power dynamics, and the blurry line between acting and real‑life discomfort.

Where Things Stand Now

Sexual harassment claims? Dismissed. Retaliation claims? Moving forward. Trial date? May 18. Public interest? Only getting hotter.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are heading toward a courtroom showdown that will force the industry — and the public — to confront what “acceptable behavior” looks like on a film set, especially one as emotionally charged as “It Ends With Us.”

And if the early filings are any indication, neither side is walking into this quietly.