Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Mediation Fails in Court

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni walked into a New York federal court on Wednesday morning for court-ordered mediation in her sexual harassment lawsuit against him. The talks lasted all day but ended without a deal. The two co-starred in the movie 'It Ends With Us,' and their legal fight has gone on for more than a year. A trial is set for May 18.

Background

The trouble started on the set of 'It Ends With Us,' a film about domestic abuse that came out in 2024. Blake Lively played the lead role, and Justin Baldoni directed and starred opposite her. Shooting wrapped up in early 2024, but problems surfaced soon after.

In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. She said Baldoni created a hostile work environment. Her claims included inappropriate comments about his sex life and uninvited visits to her makeup trailer while she was undressed or breastfeeding. She also accused him of improvising kisses during scenes without her okay.

Lively said these actions made the set feel unsafe. She told the department that Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, started a campaign to hurt her reputation after she spoke up. This included efforts across media and social platforms to paint her in a bad light.

Baldoni denied all of it. His team said Lively's claims were false and part of a push to take control of the movie. They pointed to set footage of a dance scene to counter one of her main points. Baldoni's side claimed Lively brought in her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to change things like editing and music, and kept him out of the premiere.

The fight moved to court in New York. Lively sued Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, its leaders Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz, and PR people Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel. She sought $500 million for what she called unlawful retaliation. Her suit said they broke federal and state laws by targeting her after her harassment reports.

Baldoni fired back with his own suit. He accused Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist of extortion, defamation, and invading his privacy. He asked for $400 million. Baldoni said Lively used fake claims to grab power on the film and ruin his name.

A judge dismissed Baldoni's suit in June 2025. He ruled that Lively's statements were protected as part of legal proceedings. The judge also said Lively's publicist did not defame Baldoni because she based her words on Lively's account. Baldoni did not refile, so that case ended in October.

Lively's main lawsuit stayed alive. Both sides kept trading claims through 2025. In February, Lively asked for a gag order on Baldoni over what she called a smear campaign. The court said no. Reports came out about texts from Baldoni's PR team, like one saying they could 'bury anyone.'

Key Details

Wednesday's mediation took place at the U.S. District Court in New York. Lively and Baldoni arrived with their lawyers around morning. Reporters saw them outside, but neither spoke. They smiled briefly for cameras before going in.

The session happened on the 14th floor. Each side gave a short talk, 10 to 15 minutes, to explain their view. Then the judge met with them separately in private rooms. No one from the public or press could watch.

Court papers show the goal was to settle before trial. But by the end of the day, no agreement came. The two left without comment.

Timeline of Main Events

• December 2024: Lively files California complaint on harassment.
• December 2024: Lively sues in New York for retaliation.
• January 2025: Baldoni countersues for $400 million.
• February 2025: Lively seeks gag order, denied.
• June 2025: Judge dismisses Baldoni's suit.
• October 2025: Baldoni suit formally ends.
• Wednesday: Mediation fails.

Lively's team has called Baldoni's actions part of an 'abuser playbook.'

"Wayfarer Parties' vengeful and rambling lawsuit against Blake Lively is a profound abuse of the legal process that has no place in federal court." – Lively's lawyers

Baldoni's lawyers have denied harassment and said Lively's suit is baseless.

What This Means

With no settlement, the case moves to trial on May 18, 2026, in New York federal court. Both sides will present full evidence, witnesses, and arguments. This could last weeks and draw heavy media attention.

The fight has already hurt both actors' public images. 'It Ends With Us' made over $700 million at the box office despite the noise. But the scandal overshadowed its message on abuse.

Lively has stayed quiet in public but kept working. She has upcoming projects lined up. Baldoni runs Wayfarer Studios and has other films in development.

Legal experts say these cases often settle late to avoid trial costs and risks. But here, bad blood seems deep. Discovery has already shared emails, texts, and set videos. More details may come out before May.

Fans and industry watchers split on who to believe. Some back Lively on workplace safety. Others see it as a power struggle over a big movie. The trial will test claims under harassment and retaliation laws.

Wayfarer faces claims too, which could affect its future deals. PR firms named might see fallout in Hollywood circles. Reynolds, though not sued now, got pulled in early and called out for meddling.

No one knows if talks will restart privately. For now, court dates loom. The judge pushed mediation as a last step before full battle.