Sony Pictures
Actress Blake Lively was dealt a devastating blow in her legal battle against It Ends with Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Earlier this week, the presiding judge threw out 10 of her 13 claims against Baldoni.
On Thursday, in a 152-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 10 of Blake Lively’s 13 claims against Justin Baldoni, including the more serious allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy. Three claims will proceed to trial on May 18: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.
Making matters worse for Lively, not only is she seemingly losing the legal battle, but she’s also at risk of losing in the court of public opinion, as well, as a Hollywood expert has said this ordeal could effectively tank her career.
Hollywood brand expert says Blake Lively’s court case losses to Justin Baldoni has the potential to derail her career
Speaking to Page Six, brand experts say the ruling against Lively could cause reputational damage regardless of trial outcome, potentially limiting her access to major roles and endorsements.
“It does look like a challenging path lies ahead for Blake Lively,. There is a real risk she could start to feel pushed out of the industry and struggle to secure major roles or brand deals going forward,” explained brand specialist Kayley Cornelius. “The film industry is now incredibly fast-moving and competitive, and it often feels like a revolving door. As one star’s momentum dips, there’s now a whole new wave of new talent ready to take their place.”
“Studios are looking for the best talent to capture broader audiences at a time when the public is more reactive than ever. With the impact of cancel culture and increased scrutiny, there is less appetite to take risks on talent who may be seen as controversial or commercially uncertain. That means even legacy names such as Blake are no longer untouchable and guaranteed the security they once had. So it’s entirely possible that Blake could face tougher competition for upcoming roles, with studios potentially favoring newer talent.”
The trial is scheduled to begin May 18 in New York, with pop star Taylor Swift — who exchanged texts with Lively about Baldoni that were unsealed earlier this year — being among those who could be subpoenaed to testify.