Lively v. Wayfarer: Harassment & Defamation Showdown
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Actor Blake Lively has sued Wayfarer Studios, its co-founder Justin Baldoni, and associated PR firms in the Southern District of New York, alleging workplace sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign that damaged her reputation and business interests (Case No. 1:24-cv-10049).
The Case: Blake Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC et al
The Court: Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y)
The Case No.: 1:24-cv-10049
The Plaintiff: Blake Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC et al
Blake Lively, star and producer of the film It Ends With Us, asserts that during production, Baldoni engaged in un-rehearsed physical contact, sought to add intimate scenes without an intimacy coordinator, and later orchestrated a media strategy to discredit her after she complained, causing sales of her hair-care brand to drop sharply.
The Defendant: Blake Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC et al
Wayfarer Studios LLC, Justin Baldoni, and affiliated crisis-PR consultants are named as defendants. Lively contends that they hired public relations professionals to suppress her allegations and “bury” her public image. At the same time, the defendants deny any misconduct and claim they acted to protect their reputations.
The Case: Blake Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC et al
Lively’s claims (Dec 2024 filing): sexual harassment, retaliation, defamation, and business losses tied to an alleged smear campaign.
Procedural status:
An emotional-distress count was dismissed on June 3, 2025, but core harassment and retaliation claims remain.
Defendants countersued in January 2025 for defamation and civil extortion, seeking $400 million. Most of that countersuit was dismissed on June 9, 2025, leaving only potential contract-interference allegations for possible refiling.
Lively has subpoenaed internal text messages and phone records; defendants have sought third-party communications they say support their defense.
Related litigation: A crisis-PR consultant and a former Wayfarer PR firm have filed separate actions over the dispute, alleging defamation and breach of contract. None of these suits directly involves Lively’s wage-and-hour or labor claims, but they could impact discovery and public perception.
The Main Question in the Case: Blake Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC et al
Did Wayfarer Studios and Justin Baldoni engage in unlawful workplace harassment and retaliatory reputation-damage tactics against Blake Lively, and, if so, are they liable for the resulting economic and emotional harm? Conversely, did Lively’s public statements cross the line into actionable defamation against the defendants?
FAQ: Blake Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC et al
Q: What behavior does Lively allege constituted sexual harassment?
A: She says Baldoni improvised intimate physical contact and tried to add nudity and graphic scenes without prior discussion or an intimacy coordinator, creating an unsafe work environment.
Q: What is meant by a “retaliatory smear campaign”?
A: Lively claims the defendants hired PR professionals to release or amplify negative stories, monitor social-media chatter, and otherwise undermine her credibility after she complained about on-set conduct.
Q: Why was the emotional-distress claim dismissed?
A: The court ruled that, as pleaded, it did not meet the legal standard for a separate tort; however, the underlying harassment and retaliation counts were allowed to proceed.
Q: What remains of the defendants’ $400 million countersuit?
A: The court threw out the defamation and civil-extortion counts but allowed defendants an opportunity to replead limited claims of interference with contractual relationships.
Q: Could third-party subpoenas affect the outcome?
A: Yes. Phone records, text messages, and PR-firm documents may provide key evidence of either a coordinated smear effort (supporting Lively) or benign reputation management (supporting the defendants), which could influence liability and damages.
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