Justin Baldoni and Wife Emily Break Silence After Legal Battle With Blake Lively

Actor Justin Baldoni and his wife, Emily Baldoni, have spoken publicly for the first time following the conclusion of a lengthy legal dispute involving Baldoni’s It Ends With Us co-star, Blake Lively.

In a nearly five-minute video shared on Instagram this week, the couple reflected on the emotional toll the legal battle had taken on their family, describing the past two years as deeply painful.

“There have been so many painful things that have been spoken into existence over the last couple years,” Justin Baldoni said.

The legal dispute stemmed from events surrounding the 2024 film It Ends With Us. Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment on set and claiming he orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign against her.

Baldoni denied the allegations and later filed a $400 million (£298.5 million) counterclaim against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion.

Couple Reflects on Difficult Two Years

During the video, Baldoni explained that he and his wife had intentionally remained silent throughout the legal proceedings despite having much they wanted to say.

“We have not spoken publicly for the better part of the last two years, and it’s not because we haven’t had anything to say,” he said. “Because Lord knows we have.”

Emily Baldoni said the ordeal had been particularly difficult for their family.

“There has been a lot of trauma for us to move through as a family, which also makes it hard to speak,” she said.

She added that the conclusion of the case gave them an opportunity to finally address the public.

“The truth and the facts have spoken for themselves and here we are,” she said.

Emily also questioned how the situation had escalated to such an extent.

“We’ve had to wrestle with so many things and try to understand so many things, like how could something like this even happen? Let alone disguised as a fight for women.”

Legal Battle Ends Ahead of Trial

The case concluded in May 2026 when Lively and Baldoni reached a settlement on the remaining claims just weeks before a civil trial in New York was scheduled to begin.

Earlier, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 claims brought by Lively, ruling that she could not pursue several allegations, including sexual harassment, under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because she was an independent contractor rather than an employee. The judge also dismissed Baldoni’s counter-lawsuit in its entirety.

The parties later settled the outstanding allegations, including claims relating to retaliation and breach of contract.

Following the settlement, Lively said filing the lawsuit had been “the last thing” she wanted to do.

“But I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others,” she said.

‘We Feel So Loved’

In their latest video, the Baldonis expressed appreciation for the support they received throughout the legal proceedings.

“We can genuinely say that we are sitting here today feeling immense gratitude for so many things and so many people,” Emily Baldoni said.

Justin Baldoni added that the family is now focused on healing after the prolonged legal battle.

“We feel so loved,” he said.