Blake Lively is facing renewed criticism as the Blake Lively lawsuit backlash intensifies after a judge dismissed major portions of her case against co-star and director Justin Baldoni. At the same time, a private letter she wrote to the Producers Guild of America resurfaced online, triggering fresh mockery in Hollywood.
The latest controversy has put Lively back under public scrutiny during a high-stakes legal battle linked to the 2024 film It Ends With Us. While some claims remain active, the ruling significantly narrowed the case.
On April 2, a federal judge dismissed most of Lively’s claims against Baldoni and others tied to the film, including sexual harassment and defamation allegations. Out of 13 claims, only three remain: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation. The remaining claims are set to move forward to trial on May 18.
According to the media reports, the court dismissed many of the claims because Lively was legally considered an independent contractor rather than an employee. That distinction prevented some federal harassment claims from moving ahead.
Blake Lively Letter Controversy
The backlash intensified after a letter Lively sent in January 2024 to the Producers Guild of America resurfaced online. In the five-page message, she reportedly detailed her work on It Ends With Us, including script rewrites and wardrobe decisions, and described the project as one of the most meaningful of her career.
Sections of the letter have since drawn criticism and ridicule on social media, with some users mocking its tone and length. The renewed attention has added another layer of pressure as the legal fight continues.
A judge threw out 10 of Blake Lively's 13 claims against Justin Baldoni related to their time working together on ‘It Ends With Us,’ including her sexual harassment allegation. https://t.co/mJxzpg6Tve pic.twitter.com/puGXZulAy0
— E! News (@enews) April 3, 2026The ruling has also affected Lively’s public image, even though the judge focused on procedural issues such as employment status and jurisdiction rather than the underlying facts of the dispute. Critics have described the decision as an embarrassing setback for the actress.
Read: Blake Lively Legal Setback Puts Career in Spotlight
Baldoni’s legal team said they were pleased with the outcome and that they look forward to defending the remaining claims at trial in mid-May. Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds has stayed largely out of the controversy and has not commented publicly.
