Latest news with #emotionaldistress
ABC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Blake Lively no longer pursuing claims for emotional distress against Justin Baldoni
Actress Blake Lively is abandoning some of her claims against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni. This includes a request to withdraw and dismiss her claims of emotional distress against Baldoni. It's the latest volley in the ongoing legal battle over their behind-the-scenes conflict while filming the dark romantic drama. Here's a catch-up on all the latest. No. However, she has dropped the 10th and 11th causes of action against Baldoni for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The actor's filing occurred after Baldoni's legal team tried to gain access to her medical records and therapy notes in their effort to defend their client from Lively's claim that she "suffered severe emotional distress and pain". In a letter addressed to Judge Lewis Liman, Baldoni's lawyers said that "instead of complying" with their attempt to seek the relevant information, Lively instead withdrew those claims. They allege that Lively is refusing "to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress". In response, Lively's lawyers said the legal move was a "routine part of the litigation process" and they were "streamlining and focusing" their case. They also called the filing a "press stunt" and that Baldoni's team were trying to get "another tired round of tabloid coverage". Despite Baldoni now having two fewer claims to defend himself against, there is a caveat. Lively demanded to withdraw the claims without prejudice, meaning she could refile them at a later date. Her other claims, including sexual harassment and retaliation, remain in the case that is set to go to trial in March 2026. Last month, artist Taylor Swift was subpoenaed as a witness in Baldoni's lawsuit against his co-star. Baldoni's team initially claimed that Lively used her friend Swift's "mega celebrity" status to pressure Baldoni to accept script rewrites by Lively for the film. Representatives for Swift said at the time "she was not involved in any casting or creative decision" and "never saw an edit or made any notes on the film". However, the subpoena was dropped weeks later, after Swift's legal team objected that the order amounted to an "unwarranted fishing expedition", Variety reported. Lively's lawyers said they were "pleased" the "inappropriate subpoenas" were withdrawn. The two actors have been engaged in a legal dispute since Lively sued Baldoni in 2024 following the release of their film It Ends With Us. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and a public smear campaign to "destroy" her reputation during the film's promotion. In a legal complaint, Lively claimed that Baldoni hired the services of Melissa Nathan — a crisis PR specialist whose previous clients include Johnny Depp — to aid in this effort. In January 2025, Baldoni hit back, filing a lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds on claims of civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy. His lawyers called the suit "shameful" and full of "categorically false accusations".
Screen Geek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
Blake Lively Withdraws Claims Against Justin Baldoni Of Infliction Of Emotional Distress
Celebrities Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have been caught in a legal debacle with one another since drama erupted on the set of It Ends With Us . Now another development in the situation has surfaced, as Lively is apparently in the process of withdrawing her claims against Baldoni regarding intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress. As shared via Variety, this decision was made when 'Baldoni's legal team sought discovery that included her medical records in their efforts to defend the ' It Ends With Us ' director against her claim that she suffered 'severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration and mental anguish.'' The outlet continues: 'Lively's attempt to withdraw the two claims surfaced in a filing Monday by Baldoni's attorneys, who are seeking to compel the actress to sign a HIPAA release for access to therapy notes and other relevant information.' The following statement was taken from the filing: 'Instead of complying with the Medical RFPs, Ms. Lively's counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her [infliction of emotional distress] Claims ,' the filing states. 'However, Ms. Lively has refused the Wayfarer Parties' reasonable request that the withdrawal of such claims be with prejudice . She is only willing to withdraw her claims without prejudice. In other words, Ms. Lively wants to simultaneously: (a) refuse to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress and/or that the Wayfarer Parties were the cause; and (b) maintain the right to re-file her IED Claims at an unknown time in this or some other court after the discovery window has closed.' A response to the matter was shared by Lively's lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, who further called the filing 'a press stunt.' The two added that there are actually 'streamlining and focusing' her case. The two shared the following statement insisting that 'Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress' as part of the ongoing debacle: 'The Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law, rendering certain of Ms. Lively's original claims no longer necessary. Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims.' As for the court's part in all this, they 'need to decide whether to compel Lively to turn over the information on her mental health, which she has sought to avoid, or dismiss the two claims with or without prejudice. 'It is standard procedure in cases alleging physical or emotional injury for the defense to access the plaintiff's medical records that would shine a light on the root and scope of alleged distress.' The outlet does note that it's 'unusual' in this case 'for a plaintiff to abandon the claims midstream given that it is well known heading into such a lawsuit that medical records will be an unpleasant but inevitable part of the discovery process.' The filing to Judge Liman in U.S. District Court Southern District of New York and signed by Baldoni attorney Kevin Fritz reads as follows: 'Ms. Lively cannot have it both ways. If Ms. Lively wants to withdraw her frivolous IED Claims, the Wayfarer Parties are entitled to a dismissal with prejudice to ensure they will not be re-filed. If Ms. Lively is unwilling to stipulate to the dismissal of her IED Claims with prejudice, then the Wayfarer Parties will continue to defend against them, and she must produce her medical information and documents as set forth herein.' It's clear that this legal situation will continue to become more complicated and complex as it progresses. With several related lawsuits in the process, and these latest developments, we'll have to see where this debacle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni heads next. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates as we have them.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Blake Lively suffers huge blow as judge issues devastating ruling on her 'emotional distress' claim against Justin Baldoni
Justin Baldoni has scored a major victory in his ongoing court battle with Blake Lively after a New York judge blocked the actress from presenting evidence of her 'emotional distress' claims in the case. Court papers exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail show the pair had been slugging it out over her claims he caused her emotional distress – with Baldoni's team demanding she prove it via notes from her therapy sessions.
Fox News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Blake Lively withdraws emotional distress claims against Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively has requested to withdraw her claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress against "It Ends With Us" costar and director Justin Baldoni. Shortly after Baldoni's lawyers requested relevant medical information pertaining to Lively's claims – including therapy notes and identification of the actress' mental health providers – on Monday, the 37-year-old actress filed to dismiss her original claims. "Instead of complying with the Medical RFPs, Ms. Lively's counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her [infliction of emotional distress] Claims," Monday's filing stated. "However, Ms. Lively has refused the Wayfarer Parties' reasonable request that the withdrawal of such claims be with prejudice. She is only willing to withdraw her claims without prejudice. In other words, Ms. Lively wants to simultaneously: (a) refuse to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress and/or that the Wayfarer Parties were the cause; and (b) maintain the right to re-file her [infliction of emotional distress] claims at an unknown time in this or some other court after the discovery window has closed… Ms. Lively cannot have it both ways." In a statement to Fox News Digital, Lively's lawyers Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb said, "Once again this is a routine part of the litigation process that is being used as a press stunt. We are doing what trial lawyers do: preparing our case for trial by streamlining and focusing it; they are doing what they do: desperately seeking another tired round of tabloid coverage." "The Baldoni-Wayfarer strategy of filing retaliatory claims has exposed them to expansive new damages claims under California law, rendering certain of Ms. Lively's original claims no longer necessary," the statement continued. "Ms. Lively continues to allege emotional distress, as part of numerous other claims in her lawsuit, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, and massive additional compensatory damages on all of her claims." Lively originally filed her lawsuit against Baldoni and "It Ends With Us" film producer Jamey Heath for sexual harassment, retaliation and emotional distress. She first filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights department and later filed one in federal court in December. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. In addition to releasing a website detailing the timeline of events that allegedly occurred, Baldoni's team has shared unedited footage from the set of "It Ends With Us." Both Lively and Baldoni have claimed the footage bolsters their respective claims. After the release, Lively's legal team demanded a gag order be issued against Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman. On Jan. 23, Baldoni's lawyers filed a response, calling Lively's gag order attempt an "intimidation tactic" and "tactical gamesmanship." A judge later ordered that both sides follow the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which limit speaking to the press. In April, Lively opened up about how this past year has brought the "lowest lows" during an appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers." "What I can say without going too into it is that this year has been full of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life, and I see so many women around afraid to speak, especially right now, afraid to share their experiences." She continued, "And fear is by design, it's what keeps us silent, but I also acknowledge that many people don't have the opportunity to speak, so I do feel fortunate that I've been able to. And it's the women who have had the ability to use their voice that's kept me strong, and helped me in my belief in my fight for the world to be safe for women and girls." "It's a pretty simple thing," she added. The legal conflict is currently set to head to trial before a New York court in March 2026. Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this post.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Blake Lively reveals the real reason she dropped emotional distress claim against Justin Baldoni - and it had 'nothing to do with her medical records'
Blake Lively has revealed why she chose to drop her emotional distress claim against Justin Baldoni after his lawyers claimed that she refused to provide medical proof, in their latest legal battle. The It Ends With Us actress lashed out at the 41-year-old in new court filings, exclusively obtained by – accusing his team of a 'false and plainly improper public relations stunt'.
