Blake Lively Seeks $161 Million in Damages, Accusing Justin Baldoni of Smear Campaign [WATCH]

Actress Blake Lively is seeking $161 million in damages from actor and director Justin Baldoni, claiming he launched a smear campaign that severely damaged her career, personal brand, and business ventures, as reported by TMZ.

According to court filings obtained by TMZ, Lively’s attorneys allege that she lost an estimated $56.2 million in past and future earnings tied to acting, producing, speaking engagements, and endorsement deals.

The filing also claims Baldoni’s actions caused additional financial losses to her companies, including $49 million in damages to her haircare brand Blake Brown and $22 million to her beverage line Betty Buzz/Betty Booze.

The documents further assert that Lively suffered $34 million in reputational harm, citing over 65 million negative social media impressions linked to Baldoni’s alleged “mudslinging.”

The two are set to face off in court in March, stemming from a legal battle that began after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of their 2024 movie “It Ends With Us.”

Lively alleges Baldoni retaliated after she reported the harassment by spreading false claims that damaged her reputation and caused financial losses across multiple ventures.

Baldoni, who directed and co-starred in the film, responded with a $400 million countersuit, accusing Lively of defamation and claiming she had fabricated allegations that destroyed his career.

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However, that case was dismissed in June, when a judge ruled that Baldoni could not sue over statements made in legal filings, which are protected by law.

Lively’s lawsuit seeks compensation for lost income, emotional distress, and reputational damage, along with punitive damages meant to deter future misconduct.

Her legal team argues that the alleged campaign against her was deliberate and intended to “destroy her credibility and professional standing.”

The controversy surrounding the two actors has drawn widespread attention in Hollywood, both because of their high-profile status and the financial stakes involved.

Image Credit: Screenshot via ‘It Ends With Us’ / ©Sony Pictures

Lively’s claims of reputational harm center on online narratives that she says were spread by Baldoni’s representatives and associates following her complaints.

Neither Lively nor Baldoni has issued public statements regarding the latest filing. The case is expected to go to trial in Los Angeles Superior Court next spring, with pre-trial motions scheduled for early February 2026.

The legal dispute marks one of the entertainment industry’s most financially significant defamation-related cases in recent years, involving two major figures whose collaboration on a film has since devolved into ongoing litigation.

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