In a high-stakes legal battle, Blake Lively is seeking $161 million in damages due to an alleged retaliation campaign linked to her role in the 2024 film “It Ends With Us.” The lawsuit claims this campaign followed disturbing incidents during the movie’s production, reportedly orchestrated by key figures involved with the film. The “It Ends With Us” smear campaign, according to Lively, has severely impacted her career and businesses.
In a disclosure document obtained by Rolling Stone, Lively details the financial repercussions of the alleged campaign. This document, part of her ongoing lawsuit, underscores the substantial losses she attributes to false narratives spread against her. Lively’s legal team claims she has suffered $56.2 million in lost income, which includes missed opportunities in acting, producing, and public speaking engagements. Notably, $18.3 million of this is connected to a period from August 2024 until the trial’s anticipated start in March.
Beyond her direct professional engagements, Lively’s entrepreneurial ventures have also faced setbacks. Her beauty brand, Blake Brown, reportedly lost $49 million, while Betty B Holdings, her beverage company, experienced $22 million in lost earnings. The lawsuit further highlights reputational damage, citing 65 million impressions of the defamatory statements that allegedly cost her $34 million.
Filed on New Year’s Eve in New York, the lawsuit accuses Lively’s co-star, Justin Baldoni, and others of harassment and a concerted effort to undermine her credibility. These actions, Lively argues, were taken to prevent her from making her grievances public.
Initially, Lively’s damages were estimated to exceed $75,000; however, the updated figures reveal the extent of her claims, grounded in expert testimony expected at trial. Her legal team also plans to pursue punitive damages, seeking an amount at least three times her actual claimed damages.
No immediate responses have been received from the involved parties’ lawyers as of Thursday.
In a counteraction, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, which a federal judge recently dismissed. According to Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, the decision not to file an amended complaint aimed to preserve appeal rights while focusing on Lively’s accusations. Freedman emphasized their ongoing commitment to uncovering the truth and preparing for the courtroom.
