ReutersAfter nearly two years of public silence, actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni has spoken publicly about the legal dispute with actress Blake Lively, describing the experience as deeply traumatic for his family while expressing gratitude to supporters who stood by them throughout the controversy.
In a video shared on social media, Baldoni appeared alongside his wife, Emily Baldoni, marking the couple's first public comments since the dispute erupted. Without directly discussing the details of the litigation, the couple reflected on the emotional toll of the past two years, their faith and their decision to remain largely silent while legal proceedings unfolded.
Opening the video, Baldoni acknowledged that he and his wife had not spoken publicly "for the better part of the last two years," despite having much they wanted to say.
According to Baldoni, the couple repeatedly considered addressing the controversy but ultimately felt it was not the appropriate time.
"We just wanted to let the justice system run its course," he said, adding that they did not want to contribute to what he described as the "noise" surrounding the case. Baldoni also claimed that "the truth and the facts have spoken for themselves," though he did not elaborate further on specific legal developments.
Throughout the video, Baldoni and his wife focused on the emotional impact the public dispute had on their family.
Emily Baldoni said gratitude had helped them cope during an extremely difficult period but stressed that being thankful did not erase the pain they experienced.
"It doesn't negate the injustice and the pain that we have also felt," she said, adding that the family had spent considerable time trying to understand "how could something like this even happen."
"If you've ever been through something traumatic, you know that healing isn't linear," Justin said. "It looks different every day."
Rather than discussing the legal dispute itself, the couple emphasized what they said sustained them during the ordeal.
Justin Baldoni said the experience had reshaped his priorities, placing greater importance on family, close friends, community and faith.
"Our kids. Our family. Our friends. Our community," he said, describing those relationships as the foundation of their recovery.
The couple also spoke about becoming more committed to their Christian faith, with Emily Baldoni saying they felt "closer and more devoted and steadfast" than before.
They also thanked supporters who publicly defended them during the controversy, saying many people had shown "discernment" when they felt unable to speak for themselves.
"There were so many of you who, when we didn't have a voice, were our voice," Emily Baldoni said.
The legal conflict between Baldoni and Lively arose following disputes connected to the production and promotion of the 2024 film It Ends with Us.
In late 2024, Lively filed a legal complaint alleging that Baldoni had sexually harassed her during the production of the film and later orchestrated a retaliatory public relations campaign intended to damage her reputation.
Baldoni denied the allegations and subsequently filed legal claims against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and others, alleging defamation and related claims.
However, in May 2026, attorneys for both sides announced that they had reached a settlement, bringing the legal conflict to an end before the scheduled trial in New York.
In a joint statement released on May 4, representatives for both parties said the film remained “a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life” and expressed hope that the settlement would allow everyone involved to move forward.
The statement acknowledged that the process had been challenging and said concerns raised by Lively “deserved to be heard,” while emphasizing the importance of workplaces free from inappropriate behavior and harmful environments.
Following the settlement, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman described the agreement as a “total victory” for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios. In a court filing submitted after the settlement, attorneys for Wayfarer said Lively had agreed to dismiss her remaining claims without Wayfarer paying any damages.
In a video shared on social media, Baldoni appeared alongside his wife, Emily Baldoni, marking the couple's first public comments since the dispute erupted. Without directly discussing the details of the litigation, the couple reflected on the emotional toll of the past two years, their faith and their decision to remain largely silent while legal proceedings unfolded.
Why Justin Baldoni says he remained silent
Opening the video, Baldoni acknowledged that he and his wife had not spoken publicly "for the better part of the last two years," despite having much they wanted to say.
According to Baldoni, the couple repeatedly considered addressing the controversy but ultimately felt it was not the appropriate time.
"We just wanted to let the justice system run its course," he said, adding that they did not want to contribute to what he described as the "noise" surrounding the case. Baldoni also claimed that "the truth and the facts have spoken for themselves," though he did not elaborate further on specific legal developments.
Baldoni describes family's "trauma" and "injustice"
Throughout the video, Baldoni and his wife focused on the emotional impact the public dispute had on their family.
Emily Baldoni said gratitude had helped them cope during an extremely difficult period but stressed that being thankful did not erase the pain they experienced.
"It doesn't negate the injustice and the pain that we have also felt," she said, adding that the family had spent considerable time trying to understand "how could something like this even happen."
"If you've ever been through something traumatic, you know that healing isn't linear," Justin said. "It looks different every day."
Rather than discussing the legal dispute itself, the couple emphasized what they said sustained them during the ordeal.
Justin Baldoni said the experience had reshaped his priorities, placing greater importance on family, close friends, community and faith.
"Our kids. Our family. Our friends. Our community," he said, describing those relationships as the foundation of their recovery.
The couple also spoke about becoming more committed to their Christian faith, with Emily Baldoni saying they felt "closer and more devoted and steadfast" than before.
They also thanked supporters who publicly defended them during the controversy, saying many people had shown "discernment" when they felt unable to speak for themselves.
"There were so many of you who, when we didn't have a voice, were our voice," Emily Baldoni said.
What was the Lively-Baldoni legal battle?
The legal conflict between Baldoni and Lively arose following disputes connected to the production and promotion of the 2024 film It Ends with Us.
In late 2024, Lively filed a legal complaint alleging that Baldoni had sexually harassed her during the production of the film and later orchestrated a retaliatory public relations campaign intended to damage her reputation.
Baldoni denied the allegations and subsequently filed legal claims against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and others, alleging defamation and related claims.
However, in May 2026, attorneys for both sides announced that they had reached a settlement, bringing the legal conflict to an end before the scheduled trial in New York.
In a joint statement released on May 4, representatives for both parties said the film remained “a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life” and expressed hope that the settlement would allow everyone involved to move forward.
The statement acknowledged that the process had been challenging and said concerns raised by Lively “deserved to be heard,” while emphasizing the importance of workplaces free from inappropriate behavior and harmful environments.
Following the settlement, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman described the agreement as a “total victory” for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios. In a court filing submitted after the settlement, attorneys for Wayfarer said Lively had agreed to dismiss her remaining claims without Wayfarer paying any damages.
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