Blake Lively seeks $161 million in damages over defamation campaign

Actress and entrepreneur Blake Lively is seeking more than $161 million in damages, claiming she suffered severe financial and reputational losses due to an alleged retaliation and defamation campaign tied to the 2024 release of Justin Baldoni’s It Ends With Us.

According to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, Lively’s lawsuit names Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer Studios executive Steve Sarowitz and their publicists as defendants in an ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation case.

Lively’s legal team claims the campaign cost her $56.2 million in lost income from acting, producing and public appearances, including $18.3 million in lost wages between August 2024 and the expected 2026 trial.

Her beauty line, Blake Brown, reportedly lost $49 million in profits, while her drinks brand, Betty B Holdings, suffered a $22 million loss. The remaining $34 million, the filing alleges, reflects reputational damage caused by “65 million impressions of defamatory statements.”

The documents also indicate that Lively plans to seek punitive damages of at least three times the actual amount sought. Among the potential witnesses listed are Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, Emily Blunt and Hugh Jackman, who may testify about the alleged misconduct and its aftermath.

Baldoni previously filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, but it was dismissed earlier this year after he refused to amend his complaint.

Neither side has commented publicly on the latest filings. The case, first reported by Variety and Deadline, is expected to go to trial in March 2026, where experts will assess the extent of Lively’s alleged financial and reputational damages.