Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have officially brought their year-long legal battle to an end, reaching a settlement on Monday, May 4, just two weeks before they were set to face off in court.
The resolution may have closed the case, but it has opened up a new debate online. Fans quickly took to social media to argue over who truly “won,” with some pointing to Lively’s earlier courtroom setback, where a judge dismissed ten of her 13 claims, as a sign Baldoni had the upper hand.
Others, however, questioned why Baldoni and his legal team agreed to a joint statement at all, suggesting that the move undercut what some believed was growing momentum in his favor.
Lively and Baldoni have officially settled their long-running legal battle, bringing an end to months of back-and-forth between both sides.
The two stars, who worked together on the film adaptation of “It Ends With Us,” reached an agreement on Monday, signaling a dramatic close to the dispute that began after she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on set, along with several other claims.
Following the settlement, the pair released a joint statement, emphasizing that despite the legal turmoil, their experience working on the hit film remained a source of pride.
They also stressed a shared commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence and fostering safer workplaces.
“We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard,” the statement read, per Page Six. “We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.”
Fans Debate ‘Winner’ In Lively-Baldoni Settlement
Following news of the settlement, fans quickly flooded social media to debate who actually came out on top. Many argued that, despite the legal outcome, the battle may have already been decided in the court of public opinion.
“I honestly don’t think it does. They’re taking the high road, and there’s really no win for Lively in the court of public opinion,” one Reddit user wrote, adding that the backlash surrounding the case may linger beyond the settlement.
Another user echoed a similar sentiment, suggesting that any potential courtroom victory would have struggled to outweigh the negative attention generated during the dispute.
Still, not everyone was convinced the saga is truly over. “This CANNOT be the end. I refuse to believe they went through years of torment for it to end with this,” a third commenter wrote.
Blake Lively Was Bent On Seeing The Case Through To Trial
Weeks before their settlement, Lively had made it clear she was prepared to take her legal battle with Baldoni all the way to trial, even after the major setback when a judge dismissed most of her claims.
That ruling left her with just three claims to try to prove in court, namely breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation.
In a statement shared to Instagram at the time, she said she was not only seeing the case through for her sake but also for those “who don’t have the same opportunity” and can’t fight for themselves.
Lively’s Unsealed Conversation Shows How She Threw Jabs At Baldoni
During Lively’s deposition, previously private conversations were released, showing the actress and then-close friend Taylor Swift taking pointed jabs at Baldoni as tensions escalated behind the scenes.
In one exchange, Swift allegedly referred to the actor in harsh terms, suggesting he “knows something is coming,” according to PEOPLE.
Elsewhere, emails revealed Lively reached out to Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, asking them to watch her cut of It Ends With Us amid the ongoing dispute. Another message showed Lively asking Swift to endorse a version of the film’s script “even without having read it,” with the singer responding that she would support her.
Blake Lively Attends Met Gala
Lively made a headline-grabbing return to the Met Gala on Monday night, marking her first appearance at the star-studded event in four years. The actress turned heads in a flowing multicolored Versace gown, confidently posing for cameras and smiling as she walked the red carpet.
Her appearance, however, arrives amid growing chatter about her standing in Hollywood following the legal drama. According to the Daily Mail, an unnamed industry insider claimed the lawsuit has significantly damaged her reputation, alleging it could affect future opportunities.
