Justin Baldoni and his wife, Emily, have publicly addressed their protracted legal battle with actress Blake Lively, breaking a two-year silence to share their perspective. In a recent Instagram video, the couple alluded to what they described as an "injustice" and "pain" experienced during the legal proceedings.
Gina Rodriguez, who starred alongside Baldoni in "Jane the Virgin," expressed her solidarity with the couple in the video's comments section, writing, "love you friends. Por vida." The series featured Rodriguez as the titular character and Baldoni as a married man whose sperm was implicated in a mistaken artificial insemination scenario, with their characters eventually becoming romantic interests.
Baldoni stated that he and his wife had chosen not to speak publicly for nearly two years, feeling that "something was telling us not to" and that it "didn't feel like the right time." He indicated that while they would not address all aspects of the legal battle in their current statement, more messages might follow. The couple emphasized their gratitude for their family, friends, community, and faith, which they credited with helping them navigate the difficult period.
Emily Baldoni described the situation as having "a lot of trauma for us to move through as a family," which she said made it difficult to speak. She added, "The truth, and the facts, have spoken for themselves." The couple also extended their thanks to fans who supported them, referring to them as having been their "voice" when they felt unable to speak for themselves.
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 their film "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.
In October 2025, a judge dismissed Baldoni's lawsuit. By May of this year, after most of Lively's claims were dismissed, she agreed to settle the case. While Lively received no monetary compensation, her legal team was permitted to seek fees related to Baldoni's unsuccessful lawsuit against her. Her lawyers reported seeking approximately $8 million in legal fees and expenses for the litigation, which spanned nearly 10 months.
The legal controversy surrounding "It Ends With Us" reportedly contributed to its box office success, grossing $351 million worldwide. In the film, Lively portrayed a florist who enters a relationship with Baldoni's character, an abusive neurosurgeon.