- - Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni 'Will Be Tied Together in History' After Legal War as Battle Hits 1 Year: PR Expert

Elizabeth RosnerDecember 23, 2025 at 5:30 AM

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Mike Marsland/WireImage; Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty

Blake Lively; Justin Baldoni -

As Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal battle hits the one-year mark, public relations experts tell PEOPLE the two will remain permanently linked in the public eye for a long time

Lively has made select public appearances in the past year, while Baldoni has appeared to step back from the spotlight and has not announced any new projects since the lawsuit

Last December, the actress sued her It Ends With Us costar and director, alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign after she spoke up; he has denied any wrongdoing

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal battle could end with a settlement or an all-out trial, but public relations experts say the fallout will linger far longer, permanently linking the former costars in the public eye.

“The two of them will be tied together in history,” crisis communications consultant Molly McPherson tells PEOPLE. “They are now inextricably linked forever.”

Part of that is due to the length and bitterness of their legal battle.

It's been one year since Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on Dec. 20, 2024, accusing Baldoni, her It Ends With Us costar and director, of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign after she spoke up.

Eleven days later, she filed a lawsuit against him and several of his associates in federal court, claiming she suffered from severe emotional distress and reputational harm. She is seeking $161 million in damages.

In January, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit, which was eventually dismissed in June. (His $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, which first published Lively's allegations in her complaint with the CCRD, was also dismissed.)

Though more than 90% of civil cases settle, neither Lively, 38, nor Baldoni, 41, have publicly indicated a willingness to do so. A trial date is now set for May 18, 2026.

Over the past year, Lively has attended select red carpets and promoted her varied businesses and new film Another Simple Favor, while Baldoni has largely retreated from the spotlight altogether.

A leading entertainment publicist thinks those are shrewd moves for both of them to have made.

"It’s good that she’s out and about, because it signals she has nothing to hide and she’s going about her daily life,” the publicist tells PEOPLE. “For Baldoni, I think it’s smart for him to step back.”

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Justin Baldoni on Aug. 8, 2024

An industry source adds that Lively’s support system could also play a role in shaping public perception going forward. “She’s got her friends who have stood by her, and that all is going to be helpful.”

Baldoni's best-case scenario may depend on how the legal case ultimately resolves. “The best Justin can hope for is cultural mercy through a jury and judge to exonerate him in the court of public opinion,” the publicist says.

Ironically, the publicist adds, both are essentially arguing the same main point.

“That is what is fascinating: They have both argued in their lawsuits that their reputations are being damaged, but the most damage has been caused by the lawsuits themselves,” the publicist tells PEOPLE. “That’s what created this media circus.”

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Justin Baldoni on August 8, 2024 on NBC's TODAY.

From a strategic standpoint, McPherson believes Lively’s legal approach has given her clearer messaging. “For Blake to march through the court with her wins and quantify damages financially is smart,” she says. “It provides pain and damages that can be measured. It gives her talking points. From a press standpoint, she now has a narrative.”

On paper, It Ends With Us, the 2024 film adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel at the center of the dispute, "did incredibly well," notes the publicist. Lively has since announced she will co-produce and star in the Lionsgate action rom-com The Survival List.

Still, Lively alleges in court filings that she has suffered more than $161 million in damages to her businesses due to what her attorneys describe as a smear campaign during the film’s release.

Mat Hayward/WireImage

Blake Lively on March 7, 2025

Her legal team claims she lost at least $56.2 million in past and future earnings tied to acting, producing, speaking engagements and endorsements. They also allege losses of $49 million for her haircare brand, Blake Brown, and $22 million for her beverage companies, Betty Buzz and Betty Booze.

“Are her businesses suffering because of what’s going on?” the publicist says. “I’d say yes, but it’s due to the circus surrounding the lawsuits.”

As for Baldoni, multiple industry insiders believe the legal fight may have lasting professional consequences. “Baldoni will have difficulty getting jobs,” one source predicts. “This is now what people know him for.”

Since the lawsuit, Baldoni has not publicly announced any new projects.

Ultimately, Hollywood is driven by results, experts say. It Ends With Us "did well, and that shouldn’t be dismissed,” the publicist notes. “At the end of the day, money talks. If Blake can make studios money, people will hire her.”

Whether Baldoni can eventually rebuild his career remains an open question. “Are you going to shut your mouth, do the work, take some classes, do all the things?” one industry source says. “If he packed his ego away, stayed silent, settled and started funding unique movies and elevating voices, sure, there’s a way to come back.”

on People

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