Blake Lively is breaking her silence after a New York City judge dismissed her sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni Thursday.
Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Lively’s sexual harassment, defamation, conspiracy and Title VII claims against Baldoni. Two retaliation claims and a breach of contract claim still remain as the former co-stars prepare for trial.
The “Gossip Girl” star shared her reaction to the judge’s decision in a lengthy post on her Instagram stories.
“I’m grateful for the Court’s ruling, which allows the heart of my case to be presented to a jury next month, and for the ability to finally tell my story in full at trial, for my own sake, but also for those who don’t have the same opportunity to… many of whom I have known and loved deeply in my life, and the countless I’ll never know,” she wrote.
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She said a lawsuit was “last thing I wanted in my life,” but she decided to move forward with it due to “the pervasive RETALIATION” she experienced and continues to face for “privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others.”
In her lawsuit, Lively alleges Baldoni executed and participated in a “social manipulation” campaign in an effort to “destroy” her career and reputation.
Lively added that she “hopes the court’s decision” will help show others that no matter how “unfathomably painful” it may be, “you can speak up.”
“Don’t be distracted by the digital soap opera. The constant packaging of this lawsuit as a ‘celebrity drama’ is not only irresponsible, but it is by design: to keep you from seeing yourselves in my story,” she said.
“The physical pain from digital violence is very real. It is abuse. And it’s everywhere. Not just in the news, but in your communities and schools.”
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The “A Simple Favor” star warned her followers that “digital warfare” is not only a problem celebrities will have to face, saying “my claims won’t be the first or last time you’ll see” something like this occur, adding that “often won’t be directed at celebrities” but is something that “affects us all.”
Having said that, she urged her followers to “pay attention to all the ways we can be manipulated online,” especially “if you have kids on phones,” saying they are the “most vulnerable” and need to be protected.
“So much critical work has already been done to expose systems, tactics, and players who harm,” she said. “The work to create more safety is in part at trial, but it [will also] continue far after this trial is over. This is the work I’m most proud of.
“I couldn’t begin to stand up if not for the countless who’ve gone before me — and the masses who are still around us all — creating laws, social change, sparking conversations, rallying, working privately and publicly, risking and sometimes losing everything for the safety of others in all spaces. Some whose names we know, most we don’t. Thank you. All of you.”
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Lively ended her statement by ensuring her followers that she “will never stop doing my part in fighting to expose the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence, and retaliate against victims.
“I know it’s a privilege to be able to stand up. I will not waste it. Your support keeps me going,” she concluded.
Baldoni and Lively became embroiled in a legal back-and-forth after filming the Colleen Hoover-adapted film “It Ends With Us.”
Lively claimed she was sexual harassed on set and sued Baldoni in December 2024.
Baldoni and Lively are still headed to trial May 18.
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After the judge’s decision Thursday, Sigrid McCawley, a member of Lively’s legal team, told Fox News Digital that “this case has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation” Lively faced.
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“For Blake Lively, the greatest measure of justice is that the people and the playbook behind these coordinated digital attacks have been exposed and are already being held accountable by other women they’ve targeted. She looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight,” she continued.
“Sexual harassment isn’t going forward not because the defendants did nothing wrong but because the court determined Blake Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee.”
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Wayfarer Studios also shared a statement with Fox News Digital after the judge’s ruling.
“We’re very pleased the court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants: Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel,” a statement provided by Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach of Shapiro Arato Bach said.
“These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence that was provided.”
