Justin Baldoni and his wife, Emily, have broken their silence regarding the legal dispute with actress Blake Lively that began two years ago. In a lengthy Instagram video shared on Wednesday, the couple detailed the emotional toll of the past two years, describing the period as filled with "injustice" and "trauma."
"We have not spoken publicly for the better part of the last two years, and it’s not because we haven’t had anything to say," Justin Baldoni stated in the video. He explained that they had felt a strong inclination not to speak publicly until what they perceived as the right moment, after much consideration and prayer.
Emily Baldoni echoed this sentiment, noting, "This feels like the moment," and acknowledging that "there’s so much to say."
The legal conflict originated during the production of the 2024 film "It Ends With Us." Tensions were rumored to have surfaced during the movie's press tour, with Baldoni promoting the film separately from Lively and other cast members. In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint, followed by a federal lawsuit, alleging that Baldoni had sexually harassed her on set and subsequently orchestrated a campaign to damage her reputation after she raised concerns. Baldoni denied these allegations and filed counterclaims against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, The New York Times, and others, accusing them of defamation and extortion.
The highly publicized legal battle continued for over a year, involving leaked text messages, behind-the-scenes footage, subpoenas, and amended court filings. The two parties reached a confidential settlement in May 2026, with neither side admitting wrongdoing or paying damages. The sole remaining issue before the court is Lively's request for approximately $8 million in attorney's fees and litigation costs, which Baldoni is contesting.
During the video, Justin Baldoni indicated they would not cover every detail but expressed "immense gratitude for ... so many people and so many things that have happened to us." He added that "gratitude has saved us."
Emily Baldoni stated that while they are grateful, it does not diminish the "the injustice and the pain that we have also felt in the last few years." She described wrestling with questions about how such a situation could occur, especially when it was presented as a "fight for women." She also shared that the couple experienced "a lot of trauma" and found it difficult to discuss.
"We don’t even know if this is the right thing to say. We just know we need to share something," Justin Baldoni remarked. "What I will say is that there have been so many painful things that have been spoken into existence over the last couple of years. That created so much noise, and we didn’t want to add to the noise. So we just wanted to let the justice system run its course."
Emily Baldoni added that "the truth and the facts have spoken for themselves."
The couple, married since 2013, shared an update on their lives. "We are healing," Justin Baldoni said, comparing the process to healing from trauma, which he noted is not linear. He explained that they have had to re-evaluate what is real and what matters, concluding that it is their family, friends, community, and faith.
He stated that the experience has brought them closer and strengthened their devotion to their faith. Justin Baldoni thanked viewers for their support and discernment, saying, "Thank you does not feel like enough. But we’re here, in large part, because of so many of you, and all of our friends and family."
The couple concluded by sharing their biggest lesson: "When God presses the reset button, and everything else is stripped away, that’s when love shows up." Emily Baldoni added, "And it did. There’s so much more to say. The time will come. But for now, we are going to focus on continuing the healing and hanging out with our kiddos and enjoying life."
Although the legal battle has largely concluded, the dispute remains a notable legal saga in Hollywood due to its impact on the film, the involved celebrities, and the broader discussions on workplace conduct and reputation management.