Blake Lively Withdraws Emotional Distress Claims Against Justin Baldoni

NEW YORK, USA — Blake Lively has taken steps to withdraw her claims of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress against her co-star Justin Baldoni. This decision comes amid legal exchanges stemming from their ongoing lawsuit concerning the 2024 film ‘It Ends With Us.’

Lively’s legal team filed the notice on June 2, asking for the withdrawal of the claims after Baldoni’s attorneys requested access to her medical and mental health records as part of their defense. Baldoni’s representatives argue that these records are crucial to address Lively’s allegations of severe emotional distress, which she claims resulted from Baldoni’s actions.

The legal documents reveal that Lively’s team expressed a willingness to drop the claims without prejudice, which would allow them to be refiled in the future. Baldoni’s lawyers have objected to this move, insisting that if the claims are withdrawn, they should be dismissed with prejudice to prevent any future re-filing.

“Ms. Lively cannot have it both ways,” said Kevin Fritz, Baldoni’s attorney. He emphasized the importance of having a final resolution regarding these claims. “If she withdraws them, we should not face them again in the future.”

Lively’s counsel, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, contend that this routine legal procedure has been mischaracterized as a strategy for public attention. They stated that they are focused on preparing for trial and the legal maneuvers are part of standard litigation practice.

The crux of Lively’s emotional distress claims, originally filed in December, stem from allegations of sexual harassment and a subsequent smear campaign by Baldoni and his associates. In response, Baldoni has filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, seeking $400 million.

The court now faces the task of determining whether to accept Lively’s request to withdraw these claims and whether Baldoni’s team can compel the actress to disclose her medical records.

The highly publicized legal dispute, which has attracted significant media attention, is set to go to trial in March 2026.