Justin Baldoni and his wife, Emily Baldoni, have spoken publicly about the emotional toll of the legal dispute involving Blake Lively, sharing a personal video after the underlying claims in the case were settled.
PEOPLE reported that the couple appeared in an Instagram video posted July 8, nearly two years after the dispute tied to It Ends with Us began.
Emily described “injustice and pain” and said the family had experienced “a lot of trauma,” while Justin said they had stayed quiet because they did not want to add to the noise around the case.
Justin and Emily Baldoni Reflected on the Past Two Years
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In the video, Justin said he and Emily had not spoken publicly for “the better part of the last two years,” because it had not felt like the right time.
Emily said there was “so much to say,” but the couple kept the message focused on gratitude, healing and the people who supported them during the legal fight. Justin thanked supporters who, in his words, were their voice when they did not have one. Emily said the experience had forced them to wrestle with painful questions about what happened and why.
Justin said they wanted to let the justice system run its course. Emily said gratitude had helped them, but added that gratitude did not erase the pain they had felt.
The Legal Dispute Drew Widespread Attention
The dispute began after Lively sued Baldoni and others tied to It Ends with Us in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni denied the allegations and later filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane’s PR firm.
That countersuit was dismissed, while Lively’s case was narrowed before trial. PEOPLE reported that only a limited set of retaliation-related and contract claims remained before the parties reached a settlement.
The Settlement Did Not End Every Legal Issue
Attorneys for both sides issued a joint statement on May 4 after the settlement, saying It Ends with Us remained a source of pride and that raising awareness for domestic violence survivors was a goal they stood behind.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, later described the settlement as a “total victory” for his clients. PEOPLE reported that a post-settlement court filing said Lively dismissed her remaining claims without Wayfarer paying any portion of the damages she had sought.
A federal judge later ruled that Lively was entitled to seek attorneys’ fees and costs tied to Baldoni’s countersuit, and her lawyers later filed for more than $8 million in legal fees.