Blake Lively has said she will keep fighting after a judge dismissed most of the claims in her lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, including her sexual harassment claims.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Lively described the legal battle as "unfathomably painful" and said she remained determined to continue with the parts of the case that are still due to go to trial.
The actress said she felt a responsibility to keep speaking out, adding that she hoped her experience would help protect other women facing retaliation after raising concerns in the workplace.
A federal judge in New York dismissed 10 of the 13 claims brought by Lively, including sexual harassment, defamation and conspiracy claims. However, retaliation and breach of contract claims linked to Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer Studios, are still set to proceed.
According to the ruling, Lively could not pursue the sexual harassment claims under federal law because she was considered an independent contractor rather than an employee. The judge also found that California law did not apply because the alleged conduct took place elsewhere.
Lively’s legal team said the ruling did not go to the substance of her allegations and argued that retaliation remains at the centre of the case.
Baldoni has denied the allegations against him, and his lawyers welcomed the court’s decision to narrow the lawsuit.
The legal dispute stems from the making of the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
Baldoni previously filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and others, but that case was dismissed last year.
The remaining claims are due to go before a jury when the case heads to trial in New York on 18 May. Both Lively and Baldoni are expected to testify.
