Justin Baldoni, an actor and director who was sued by an actress from Gossip Girl for sexual harassment, is said to be very pleased after the settlement.
Brian Friedman, Justin Baldoni's attorney, indicated in an interview with Extra TV released on the 6th (local time) that he is very satisfied with having resolved the legal dispute with Blake Lively by settlement.
Friedman said in the interview, "Justin Baldoni is very pleased with the outcome and the settlement itself," and added, "He is very satisfied with this ending."
He explained that last month a judge dismissed 10 of the 13 claims by Lively, including allegations of sexual harassment, defamation and conspiracy, meaning Baldoni was no longer a defendant in the lawsuit. However, Baldoni's production company Wayfair Studios remained involved in the dispute with Lively.
Friedman said, "This is not Baldoni settling. He is already removed from the case."
He added, "I think there was a sense of urgency to finish as quickly as possible. Baldoni and other parties were fairly satisfied with their positions at the time." Friedman explained that the case dynamics changed significantly after many of Lively's claims were dismissed, which ultimately affected settlement talks.
Baldoni reportedly regards the settlement as "the logical conclusion to a case he has already been removed from." He said, "Baldoni wants to help people who felt they were blamed for things he did not do," adding, "He wants to be a leader who helps others in that way. I know he will help people who have experienced similar trauma."
According to Friedman, Baldoni will continue to act as an advocate for women's rights and for the community of domestic violence survivors. He said, "Unfortunately, that community was overshadowed by this dispute."
Blake Lively, the star of Gossip Girl, earlier filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Justin Baldoni, the director and co-star of the film We're the End, alleging sexual harassment and retaliatory media tactics. Baldoni's side filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively in January last year, but it was dismissed in June.
Ultimately, the two sides recently reached a settlement, and only three of Lively's claims—breach of contract, retaliation and aiding retaliation—will be brought to trial on the 18th.
Lively and Baldoni released a joint statement saying, "The finished product, the film We're the End, is a source of pride for all of us who worked together to complete it. Raising awareness and affecting the lives of domestic violence survivors and all survivors is the goal we support."
[Photo][Photo] ⓒGettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), still from the film We're the End.
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