Emily Baldoni, wife of actor Justin Baldoni, has ignited fan speculation with a social media post that many interpret as a subtle jab at Blake Lively, referencing their past legal entanglements. The anniversary post came shortly after the Baldonis broke a two-year silence to discuss their experiences during Lively's protracted legal battle against Justin Baldoni.
On their 13th wedding anniversary, Emily shared a throwback photo of her husband lifting her at the altar, captioned: "Marriage: still my favorite lift. Thirteen, baby!!" This message drew numerous comments from users who believed it was a direct response to a previous point of contention in the dispute between Lively and Baldoni. During their film "It Ends With Us," Lively had claimed that Baldoni "secretly called her fitness trainer" and implied he wanted her to lose weight. Baldoni's representatives stated he was concerned about his back due to the scene's requirements, where he had to lift Lively.
Online reactions to Emily's post included remarks such as "Emily with the shade," "Lol nice burn," and "I see whatcha did." One user commented, "I bet you this lift did not hurt his back!"
Justin Baldoni also marked the occasion with a photo of himself and Emily dancing at their reception. He captioned it: "13 years later… we’re still dancing. Happy anniversary, my love. I’m pretty sure this was the exact moment my pants ripped open."
Earlier this month, the Baldonis released an Instagram video where Emily alluded to their struggles, stating, "it doesn't negate the injustice and the pain that we have also felt in the last few years." Justin Baldoni agreed, adding, "Gratitude has saved us." Emily further elaborated, expressing the difficulty in understanding how such events could occur, especially when "disguised as a fight for women." She described the experience as "a lot of trauma for us to move through as a family."
The legal dispute originated when Lively sued Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, in December 2024 for alleged defamation and sexual harassment on the set of "It Ends With Us." Baldoni subsequently filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times, which had initially published her claims. All parties denied the allegations.
In October 2025, a judge dismissed Baldoni's lawsuit. In May of this year, following the dismissal of most of Lively's claims, she agreed to a settlement. Although Lively received no monetary compensation, the judge permitted her to seek legal fees specifically related to Baldoni's unsuccessful lawsuit against her. Lively's legal team has claimed approximately $8 million in legal fees and expenses, a figure that is expected to increase.
The legal controversy surrounding the film did not hinder its box office success, with "It Ends With Us" grossing $351 million worldwide. In the movie, Lively portrayed a florist who becomes involved with Baldoni's character, an abusive neurosurgeon.