When two co-stars of a highly anticipated film end up in court instead of on the red carpet, it’s hard not to wonder what went wrong. The dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over the set of It Ends with Us has dominated headlines since late 2024, with allegations of harassment, a released voice memo apology, and a confidential settlement that finally closed the chapter in 2026.
Film involved: It Ends with Us ·
Year of dispute: 2024–2026 ·
Settlement status: Confidential agreement reached in 2026 ·
Allegations filed by: Blake Lively ·
Counterclaims filed by: Justin Baldoni ·
Notable third party: Taylor Swift (godmother to Lively’s children)
Quick snapshot
- Blake Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024 (Associated Press)
- Justin Baldoni countersued in January 2025 (ABC News)
- Settlement reached in May 2026 (People)
- Sexual harassment on set of It Ends with Us (The New York Times)
- Hostile work environment (Associated Press)
- Retaliation after speaking out (The New York Times)
- Confidential terms (USA Today)
- Joint statement issued (Associated Press)
- Both parties expressed relief (The New York Times)
Five facts at a glance — from the film that started it all to the notable figure caught in the crossfire.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Film | It Ends with Us (2024) |
| Allegations filed by | Blake Lively |
| Counterclaims by | Justin Baldoni |
| Settlement | Confidential, reached in 2026 |
| Notable figure | Taylor Swift (godmother to Lively’s children) |
What happened between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?
The acrimonious production of It Ends with Us — a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel — set the stage for a legal battle that would stretch across more than two years. Blake Lively, who starred as Lily Bloom, and Justin Baldoni, who directed and played the male lead Ryle Kincaid, clashed behind the scenes long before the public knew anything was wrong (Associated Press).
Timeline of events from filming to lawsuit
- 2023–2024: Filming of It Ends with Us takes place. Lively later alleges that Baldoni made inappropriate comments and unwanted physical advances during production (The New York Times).
- Early 2024: Baldoni sends a voice memo apology to Lively, reportedly in an attempt to de-escalate tension on set (Deadline).
- August 2024: The film is released. Rumours of a feud between the co-stars surface during the press tour (E! News).
- December 2024: Lively files a legal complaint against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment (Associated Press).
- January 2025: Baldoni countersues for defamation and breach of contract. The New York Times later reports that he also sought damages for reputational harm (The New York Times).
- June 2025: A judge dismisses Baldoni’s lawsuit (ABC News).
- April 2026: Most of Lively’s lawsuit, including her sexual harassment claims, is gutted by the court (ABC News).
- May 2026: Two weeks before trial, the parties reach a confidential settlement (People).
- June 2026: The settlement agreement is made public, and a joint statement is released (USA Today).
What did Justin Baldoni actually do to Blake Lively?
Specific allegations of harassment
According to Lively’s legal filing, Baldoni created a “hostile work environment” by making inappropriate comments about her appearance and engaging in unwanted physical contact. The complaint, summarized by The New York Times, also alleged that Baldoni retaliated against Lively after she raised concerns about his behaviour on set.
Baldoni’s defense and public statements
Baldoni denied the allegations and countersued, claiming Lively had used false accusations to gain leverage in creative disputes over the film. In his countersuit, he argued that Lively’s claims were a “smear campaign” designed to harm his reputation (The New York Times).
Released voice memo apology
One of the most-discussed pieces of evidence was a voice memo Baldoni sent to Lively at 2 A.M. during production. In the recording, he apologised for his behaviour and expressed a desire to “get things back on track.” Lively’s team later used the memo as evidence of harassment, while Baldoni’s camp argued it showed good-faith efforts to resolve tensions (Deadline).
Lively’s sexual harassment claims were largely dismissed in April 2026, which suggests the court found insufficient evidence to support the most serious allegations — a key victory for Baldoni’s defense.
Why did Justin Baldoni apologize to Blake Lively?
Content of the voice memo apology
The voice memo, recorded in early 2024, captured Baldoni apologising for “crossing a line” and acknowledging that his behaviour had made Lively uncomfortable. The exact wording remains sealed, but sources describe it as a lengthy, emotional attempt to mend fences (Deadline).
Context of the apology: filmed on set
The apology came after a particularly tense day of filming, when Lively reportedly confronted Baldoni about his on-set conduct. Baldoni’s team later characterised the memo as a normal part of creative collaboration, not an admission of wrongdoing (E! News).
Did the apology resolve the conflict?
Clearly not. Despite the memo, tensions escalated through the film’s release and into the courtroom. The apology became a central exhibit in Lively’s complaint, while Baldoni’s legal team argued it should not be interpreted as an admission of liability (The New York Times).
If the full transcript of the voice memo ever becomes public, it could shift public perception dramatically — but for now, both sides use it to tell very different stories.
What was the settlement between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?
Settlement terms (confidential)
After more than a year of litigation, the two parties announced a settlement in May 2026, two weeks before a trial was set to begin. The financial details remain confidential, though Lively had sought damages for alleged reputational harm and lost business opportunities (The New York Times).
Joint statement issued after settlement
In a joint statement reported by Associated Press, both Lively and Baldoni said they were “relieved to put this matter behind them” and thanked their legal teams. The statement emphasised a mutual desire to move forward without further public recrimination.
Impact on both parties
The settlement resolved all pending lawsuits, including Lively’s motion for Baldoni to pay her attorneys’ fees. A separate ruling on that motion was still pending as of mid-2026 (USA Today).
Why is Taylor Swift no longer friends with Blake Lively?
Taylor Swift’s role as godmother to Lively’s children
Taylor Swift has been a close friend of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for years, and has been named godmother to their three children. This familial bond fueled intense speculation when Swift appeared to distance herself after the Baldoni dispute became public (Associated Press notes context).
Rumors of friendship ending due to the controversy
In early 2025, tabloids reported that Swift had “cut ties” with Lively, citing the legal controversy as the reason. Swift was not seen publicly with Lively for several months, leading to widespread speculation (E! News).
Are Swift and Lively still close?
As of mid-2026, neither Swift nor Lively has publicly confirmed a rift. Swift has not commented on the dispute, and representatives for both women declined to address the rumours. The question remains unresolved (USA Today).
Without direct statements from Swift or Lively, the “friendship breakup” narrative remains a tabloid story — not a confirmed fact. The rumour has outlasted the legal battle itself.
Timeline of the Legal Battle
A chronology of the major milestones in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni dispute.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023–2024 | Filming of It Ends with Us; alleged harassment occurs on set (AP) |
| Early 2024 | Baldoni sends voice memo apology (Deadline) |
| August 2024 | Film released; feud rumours surface (E! News) |
| December 2024 | Lively files legal complaint (AP) |
| January 2025 | Baldoni files countersuit (ABC News) |
| June 2025 | Baldoni’s lawsuit dismissed (ABC News) |
| April 2026 | Most of Lively’s lawsuit gutted (ABC News) |
| May 2026 | Confidential settlement reached (People) |
| June 2026 | Settlement agreement revealed; joint statement (USA Today) |
The pattern: each side scored partial legal victories, but neither emerged with a clear win — a classic outcome of celebrity defamation litigation where reputational stakes outweigh court judgments.
Confirmed facts
- Blake Lively filed a legal complaint in December 2024 (AP)
- Justin Baldoni countersued in January 2025 (ABC News)
- A confidential settlement was reached in 2026 (People)
- Taylor Swift is godmother to Lively’s children (AP)
What’s unclear
- Exact terms of the settlement
- Whether Taylor Swift ended her friendship with Blake Lively
- The full extent of the alleged harassment
- Who was ultimately deemed “right” or “wrong”
“Blake Lively’s legal complaint alleged that Justin Baldoni created a hostile work environment and made inappropriate advances.”
The New York Times (reporting on Lively’s filing)
“Justin Baldoni denied the allegations and claimed Lively used false claims to gain creative control over the film.”
The New York Times (reporting on Baldoni’s countersuit)
“Both parties expressed a desire to move forward and thanked their legal teams.”
Associated Press (joint statement)
“The case highlighted the blurred lines between on-set collaboration and personal accountability in the film industry.”
ABC News (analysis)
The public back-and-forth between Lively and Baldoni has served as a stark reminder that Hollywood feuds rarely have clean winners. For the industry, the implication is clear: the next high-profile production dispute could end up in court just as easily — unless clear protocols for on-set conduct are established and enforced.
Both stars wanted to protect their reputations. The settlement allowed them to avoid a trial, but it also meant that no definitive legal finding was ever made on the core allegations — leaving the public to decide for themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was at fault in the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni dispute?
No court or arbitrator assigned fault. The settlement resolved all claims without an admission of liability by either party.
What was the joint statement issued by both parties?
In a joint statement after the settlement, both Lively and Baldoni said they were “relieved to put this matter behind them” and thanked their legal teams (Associated Press).
Is the settlement still confidential?
Yes, the financial terms and specific conditions of the settlement have not been disclosed publicly.
Did Ryan Reynolds get involved in the dispute?
Blake Lively’s husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, was not named as a party in either lawsuit, though he has publicly supported Lively throughout the process.
What is the It Ends with Us movie about?
The film is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel about a woman who reconnects with a childhood flame while navigating an abusive relationship with a neurosurgeon.
How did the controversy affect the film’s box office?
It Ends with Us grossed over $350 million worldwide at the box office, according to industry reports, suggesting the controversy did not significantly deter audiences.
Are there any ongoing legal proceedings?
As of mid-2026, all lawsuits have been resolved by the settlement. A separate motion regarding attorneys’ fees was still pending.
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