Blake Lively set to testify against Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us sexual harassment trial
Blake Lively will testify in her upcoming trial against “It Ends With Us” co-star Justin Baldoni, her lawyer has confirmed.
Mike Gottlieb told People magazine yesterday that Lively will take the stand in the legal proceedings stemming from her sexual harassment allegations against Baldoni.
“The ultimate moment for a plaintiff’s story to be told is at trial,” Gottlieb said. “We expect that to be the case here. So we would, of course, expect her to be a witness at her trial. Of course, she’s going to testify.”
The legal battle between the two actors began in December 2024, when Lively, 37, sued Baldoni, 41, for sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment during their time working together on “It Ends With Us”.
Lively also accused Baldoni of attempting to ruin her reputation, however, Baldoni denied all claims before filing a £400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
The married couple have since filed to dismiss Baldoni’s case, with the case being scheduled to go to trial in New York in March 2026, according to reports.
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Gottlieb added that other witnesses will also be called to testify about incidents that allegedly occurred during filming and said: “There are individuals who were witnesses to or experienced misconduct that is relevant to Ms Lively’s claims.
“We expect their testimony, particularly about what took place on set, will come out through live witness testimony.”
Reynolds, 48, “may or may not” testify depending on whether Baldoni’s countersuit claims against him are dismissed.
Gottlieb characterised the ongoing press battle as among the “distractions put up to deflect attention” from Lively’s claims.
In a statement to The Times, Lively previously explained that she hopes her complaint will “pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct” and aims to “protect others who may be targeted”.
During a recent appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Lively alluded to the legal battle, saying: “This year has been full of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life”.
Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman has responded to Gottlieb’s comments, maintaining that “the truth is not a distraction”.
“The truth has been clearly shown through unedited receipts, documents and real life footage,” Freedman said in a statement to People.
Lively herself recently spoke about women’s fear of sharing their experiences.
“Fear is by design. It’s what keeps us silent,” she said.
“I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to [speak]. And it’s the women who have had the ability to use their voice that’s kept me strong.”