The glitz of Hollywood has tended to obscure the shady realities offstage. But when two big-name stars, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, become caught up in a heated courtroom battle, the facade is soon shed. What began as the routine creation of It Ends With Us has become an open-press judicial battle, with serious allegations, crossclaims, and sharp skirmishes between attorneys.
The Heart of the Conflict
Blake Lively, 37, is suing actor-director Justin Baldoni, 41, for sexual harassment, which is said to have occurred while she was filming It Ends With Us. According to her legal team, the alleged misconduct was not isolated and included a broader pattern of retaliation and smear tactics. Alongside Baldoni, she is also taking legal action against his publicity team, accusing them of orchestrating a defamation campaign aimed at discrediting her after she chose to speak out.
Baldoni has vehemently denied all allegations. In response, he filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. However, that countersuit was dismissed by a judge last month, setting the tone for what seems to be a very one-sided legal uphill for Baldoni, at least for now.
The Deposition Controversy: Where, When, and Why It Matters
As the legal proceedings inch forward, a new controversy has emerged over the setting of Blake Lively’s deposition. Scheduled for Thursday in New York City, Lively requested the deposition be held at her attorney’s office rather than at Baldoni’s legal team’s premises. The reason? Concerns about paparazzi ambushes that could turn the session into a media frenzy.
According to a Page Six report, Lively fears that appearing outside Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman’s office could compromise her privacy and safety. Her team also accused Freedman of trying to “make the deposition a spectacle,” even alleging he once jokingly proposed selling tickets to a televised deposition at Madison Square Garden.
Justin Baldoni’s legal team wasn’t buying it.
In court documents obtained by TMZ, Baldoni’s attorneys pushed back, stating there was “no actual evidence” to support the fear of paparazzi harassment. They pointed out that both legal offices are only about a mile apart and claimed that hosting the deposition at Lively’s preferred location would put them at a logistical disadvantage, especially if they needed private space during questioning.
The language in their response was notably fiery:
“Although Lively’s foot-stomping and use of her celebrity status may have enabled her to seize control of the film, which is the crux of this dispute, her counsel’s tantrum has no place in this court,” Baldoni’s legal team wrote.
Public Spectacle vs. Private Justice
Lively’s team, however, maintained that they are only trying to ensure the deposition is handled with the dignity and seriousness the matter deserves.
“Ms. Lively is looking forward to her deposition next week, and it should follow the same rules as every other witness in this case,” her representative told People in a statement. “Justin Baldoni’s lawyer has tried to make this matter a public spectacle at every turn.”
These remarks come after Freedman discussed the upcoming deposition on TMZ Live, where he insisted he would hold Lively accountable under oath.
“I’m going to ask her questions under penalty of perjury, and she’s going to have to provide evidence,” he said. “We’re going to see how consistent her testimony is with the actual facts of what transpired.”
He also claimed that his team has access to video footage, emails, and text messages that they believe will be instrumental during the deposition.
A Clash Beyond the Courtroom
This legal battle is far more than a scheduling conflict or celebrity feud; it’s about power dynamics in Hollywood, workplace safety, and reputational warfare. Both sides are armed with legal heavyweights and appear unwilling to back down.
For Lively, the case is a stand against misconduct in the film industry, an attempt to shine light on what she calls abuse of power, and a coordinated attempt to silence her voice. For Baldoni, it’s a battle to save his name and career from what he refers to as “baseless accusations.
But deeper than contracts and angry words lies a far more profound accounting for the entertainment establishment, one that holds people accountable, even when the defendants perch on a throne of celebrity.
As the deposition day draws near, everyone will be watching what happens next. Will this turn into yet another media circus, like some worry, or will it establish a precedent on how severe allegations among Hollywood titans are processed in the future?
One thing’s for sure: the war between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has gone way beyond the big screen, and the last act remains to be written.