Wayfarer Studios, the production company founded by actor Justin Baldoni, has been ordered by a New York court to pay The New York Times more than $171,000 in damages. The ruling stems from a defamation lawsuit Wayfarer lost, which was initiated over the newspaper's reporting on the production of the film "It Ends with Us."
New York Supreme Court Justice Gerald Lebovits issued a decision in favor of the newspaper, awarding $171,616.20. This judgment followed a summary judgment that cited anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) statutes. Wayfarer Studios had sued The New York Times in January 2025 over a December 2024 article titled "We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine."
The article reported on accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation made by Blake Lively, the star of "It Ends with Us," against Baldoni and associates during the film's production. In response to the court's decision, The New York Times stated, "We’re delighted by the court’s decision. The anti-SLAPP statute is designed to combat exactly these kinds of meritless suits brought to silence the press."
Judge Lewis J. Liman had previously dismissed Wayfarer's lawsuit with prejudice in June 2025. Following this dismissal, The New York Times filed a suit seeking to recoup legal defense costs under anti-SLAPP law. Justice Lebovits stated that Wayfarer's allegations lacked "a substantial basis in fact and law" and involved "matters of public interest."
The judge further agreed with The New York Times that it had demonstrated entitlement to summary judgment on liability for its anti-SLAPP claim. Wayfarer's request to stay the case pending a potential appeal was denied, as the judge noted that such a request was invalidated by an appeal waiver included in a settlement reached in May.
In Monday's ruling, Justice Lebovits reduced the total sum awarded to the newspaper from its requested $181,622.70 in legal fees, citing a portion that was deemed ineligible for award following the federal case.
In late 2024, Lively initially filed a suit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios related to the film's production. Baldoni subsequently filed a countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their representative Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times. All parties involved denied the claims made.
Baldoni and Lively reached a settlement in May, leading to the dismissal of the remaining lawsuit with prejudice before a trial could commence. "It Ends with Us" earned $148 million domestically and $350 million globally, but its box office success has been overshadowed by the allegations that emerged during its production.
The film, based on Colleen Hoover's 2016 novel, centered on a toxic relationship. Lively starred as Lily Bloom, who overcomes a traumatic childhood and finds a connection with a neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid, played by Baldoni. The storyline explores Lily's dawning realization of troubling parallels between her new relationship and her parents' past.
Lively gained prominence for her role in "Gossip Girl" and has appeared in films such as "The Town" and "A Simple Favor." Baldoni is known for his role in "Jane the Virgin" and for directing films like "Five Feet Apart."