A federal judge in New York has dismissed actor Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against co-star Justin Baldoni, allowing two retaliation claims to proceed. Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee, making her ineligible to bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Key Takeaways
A federal judge in New York dismissed actor Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against co-star Justin Baldoni but allowed two retaliation claims to proceed. The ruling came after Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024, alleging misconduct during filming of 'It Ends With Us.'
- Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively was an independent contractor, making her ineligible for Title VII sexual harassment claims.
- Two retaliation claims and one breach-of-contract claim will proceed to trial on May 18.
- Baldoni denied all allegations and countersued Lively and Ryan Reynolds for defamation and extortion, but those claims were dismissed last June.
The ruling came after Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment and other misconduct during the filming of 'It Ends With Us.' The trial is scheduled to begin on May 18. According to Fox News, Lively's legal team stated that the case will focus on retaliation and efforts to destroy her reputation.
Baldoni, who directed the film and co-starred opposite Lively, has denied all allegations of sexual harassment. He and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion. Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni's claims last June.
The case stems from interactions between Lively and Baldoni on the set of 'It Ends With Us,' an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel. The film was released in August 2024, exceeding box office expectations with a $50 million debut despite speculation over discord between Lively and Baldoni.
In his ruling, Judge Liman noted that some evidence might enable a jury to conclude that Baldoni's production company planned not only to damage Lively's reputation but to destroy her career amid fear she'd file a discrimination claim. Lively alleges a smear campaign has been 'devastating for her reputation and career,' the judge noted.
The judge also cited specific incidents, including Baldoni allegedly saying 'pretty hot' after asking Lively to remove her jacket, exposing a lace bra underneath. When warned that such comments were inappropriate, Baldoni reportedly rolled his eyes and responded: 'Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training.' Additionally, Liman noted a scene where Baldoni pushed for Lively to perform a birth scene naked, with the set not being closed to nonessential personnel for several hours.
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