Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are urging the court to silence Justin Baldoni over fears that his public statements could taint the jury pool in their ongoing legal battles.
- January 23, 2025
AceShowbiz - Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are ramping up their legal efforts to clamp down on the outspoken nature of Justin Baldoni's legal team headed by attorney Bryan Freedman. The celebrity couple has written a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman, requesting the imposition of a gag order against Freedman.
This move comes in response to Freedman's frequent public commentary and leaks related to the sexual harassment lawsuit Lively filed against Baldoni.
The letter obtained by various media outlets outlines that Freedman has engaged in a consistent media presence, issuing inflammatory statements and leaking sensitive information. "Virtually every day" since Lively lodged her complaint, Freedman has appeared on television, participated in podcasts, and provided "inflammatory written statements" to the press, the letter states.
Lively's legal team alleges that Freedman's statements are not only retaliatory but also filled with false information that could damage the reputations of those involved and potentially bias any future jury.
"His conduct threatens to, and will, materially prejudice both the Lively Case and the Wayfarer Case by tainting the jury pool, because his statements are deliberately aimed at undermining the 'character, credibility, [and] reputation' of numerous relevant parties," noted Lively's counsel.
The request for a gag order follows Freedman's release of unedited behind-the-scenes footage from "It Ends With Us," which both parties claim supports their narratives. Lively's team argues that the footage shows clear evidence of Baldoni's unprofessional behavior, outlining various specific incidents where Baldoni allegedly made physical contact with Lively without prior consent or discussion.
Freedman, representing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, contends that the footage vindicates his client. He asserts that Lively's public actions, including going to The New York Times before filing her lawsuit, are themselves questionable. Freedman defended his rights to publicize information that he claims refutes Lively's allegations, suggesting that her team is now trying to suppress the truth.
Baldoni has countered Lively's sexual harassment claims with his own legal actions, including a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloan. Additionally, Baldoni has filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for publishing what he claims is misleading information.
The ongoing legal feud highlights the high-stakes nature of public perception in celebrity litigation. How the court rules on the gag order request could significantly influence the case's trajectory, particularly in the court of public opinion.
