Actor Justin Baldoni files a $250 million defamation suit, accusing the NY Times of spreading false claims.
Justin Baldoni has taken legal action against The New York Times, accusing the outlet of defamation over an article involving his It Ends With Us co-star, Blake Lively. The lawsuit, filed on 31 December, seeks $250 million in damages and includes nine other plaintiffs, including Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, and members of his public relations team.
The controversy stems from a New York Times article titled “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine”, published on 21 December. The piece alleged that Baldoni and his team orchestrated a smear campaign against Lively. It also included claims that Baldoni repeatedly entered Lively’s makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, even during breastfeeding sessions.
Baldoni, however, has vehemently denied the allegations. In his complaint, the actor-director stated that the article was riddled with inaccuracies and misrepresented his professional conduct. Text messages between the two stars, which were presented as evidence by Baldoni, appear to contradict the claims made in the article.
One such message from Lively reportedly read: “I’m just pumping in my trailer if you wanna work out our lines.” Baldoni responded, “Copy. Eating with crew and will head that way.” These messages suggest mutual consent and collaboration rather than harassment or inappropriate behaviour.
The lawsuit accuses The New York Times of irresponsible reporting and asserts that the article caused significant harm to Baldoni’s reputation and career. The 87-page filing not only targets the publication but also its sources, alleging that the claims were part of a broader effort to tarnish Baldoni’s image.
Representatives for Baldoni have expressed their frustration with the article’s impact, stating that it perpetuated false narratives and ignored key evidence that disproved the allegations. “This is about accountability,” a spokesperson for Baldoni’s team said. “We cannot allow baseless accusations to ruin lives and careers without consequence.”
The Times has not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit. However, legal experts suggest that the case could hinge on whether Baldoni and his team can prove that the publication acted with actual malice—a critical standard in defamation lawsuits involving public figures.
The feud initially began when Blake Lively accused Baldoni of harassment, sparking public outrage and speculation. The allegations created a rift between the two actors, overshadowing their collaboration on It Ends With Us.
While Lively has not commented publicly on the lawsuit, the fallout continues to dominate headlines, drawing attention to the dynamics of Hollywood power plays and the role of media in amplifying disputes.
As the legal battle unfolds, industry insiders are closely watching the implications for both Baldoni’s career and the broader conversation around defamation and accountability in journalism.
