Blake Lively isn’t holding back after a federal judge dismissed Justin Baldoni’s massive countersuit against her and several others.
The 37-year-old actress took to Instagram to share her thoughts after Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled in her favor in a New York court on June 9, 2025.
She called the lawsuit “retaliatory” and made it clear she sees the dismissal as a win not just for herself, but for every woman who’s been silenced or intimidated for speaking out.
“Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organizations united in defending women’s rights to speak up for their safety,” Blake wrote. “Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us.”
Though the court ruled in her favor, she noted that not everyone has the ability to fight back the way she could. “While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back,” she added. “I’m more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves.”
Blake’s post also included links to several organizations that support women, including the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, the New York Cyber Abuse Task Force, Women’s Equal Justice, and Women’s Justice NOW.
The lawsuit in question had been filed by actor Justin Baldoni, along with his Wayfarer production partners, targeting Blake, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their longtime publicist Leslie Sloane, and even The New York Times. The countersuit asked for $400 million in damages, which Blake’s legal team dismissed as absurd from the start.
Her lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, celebrated the decision as a “total victory” and “complete vindication” for everyone named in the suit. “Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit,” they said in a statement shared with People.
They also emphasized that the case was clearly intended to intimidate and punish those who spoke out. “As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the court saw right through it.”
The legal battle might not be completely over, though. Blake’s attorneys are already preparing for what comes next. They plan to pursue attorneys’ fees and damages from Baldoni and others involved with Wayfarer. “We look forward to the next round,” the statement said, “which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, [Steve] Sarowitz, [Melissa] Nathan and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”
For Blake, the message is clear: she’s not backing down. And now, with a federal ruling behind her, she’s turning the spotlight back to the larger fight for women’s rights and safety.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
