Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 2, 2025 · Entertainment

Hollywood Drama: Justin Baldoni Sued by The New York Times Over Defamation Case

The New York Times has sought $150,000 from Justin Baldoni, 41, in legal fees it spent on a suit he filed that was later dropped. Baldoni pictured last year in LA

ROMANTIC DRAMA TURNS INTO LITIGATION NIGHTMARE: JUSTIN BALDONI AND BLAKE LIVELY'S TOXIC RELATIONSHIP EXPOSED

The drama surrounding the 2024 romantic drama "It Ends with Us" just got a whole lot juicier! The lawsuit frenzy linked to this hit film, now marred by allegations of a toxic relationship between actor/director Justin Baldoni and star Blake Lively, shows no signs of abating. The latest salvo in this messy saga has The New York Times going after Baldoni for $150,000 in legal fees, which it claims it spent defending itself against a defamation suit filed by the producer.

In a stunning move, The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against Wayfarer Productions, Baldoni's production company, seeking compensatory and punitive damages. This latest development comes on the heels of a federal judge dismissing Baldoni's defamation suit against the paper in June. The newspaper is now asking the court to recoup the fees it incurred defending itself against Baldoni's baseless claims.

Lively pictured on June 9 in NYC, hours after a judge threw out Baldoni's case against her

The drama began when Lively spoke out about her alleged experiences with Baldoni during the filming of "It Ends with Us." In a December 2024 story, The New York Times reported on Lively's complaints about Baldoni's alleged conduct on set. The article, titled "We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine," sparked a heated response from Baldoni, who accused the paper of trying to harm his reputation.

Baldoni's lawyers initially claimed that the article contained defamatory statements and sought $250 million in damages. However, the judge saw through their claims and dismissed the suit. In a scathing ruling, the court stated that Wayfarer Productions and its affiliates had commenced and continued the lawsuit without a substantial basis in fact or law.

The New York Times is now seeking to hold Baldoni's company accountable for its reckless behavior. In a nine-page complaint, the paper argues that any statements made in the article about Lively's allegations were based on publicly available information and therefore subject to New York's fair report privilege.

The newspaper on Tuesday filed legal papers naming Baldoni¿s production company Wayfarer Productions after a defamation suit he filed against them was dismissed from court by a federal judge this past June

Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni, filed in December 2024, accuses him of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She claims that Baldoni subjected her to a campaign of intimidation and bullying during the filming of "It Ends with Us." Lively also named several of Baldoni's collaborators, including his company Wayfarer Studios, its CEO, and PR personnel.

Baldoni has denied all allegations against him, but it seems like he's in for a whole lot more trouble. The New York Times' lawsuit is just the latest development in this messy saga, which has left fans of "It Ends with Us" shocked and confused.

As the drama continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the real tragedy here isn't the film itself, but the toxic relationship between two of its biggest stars. Will we ever get to the bottom of what really happened on set? Only time will tell.

Lively in December sued Baldoni amid claims of sexual harassment during production of the motion picture, which was a hit when it arrived in theaters in August 2024

UPDATE: TheScholarlyNote.com has reached out to Baldoni's legal team for comment, but so far, no response has been received. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story!

In related news, the film "It Ends with Us" has been a commercial success, raking in over $350 million globally. However, its box office numbers are unlikely to be matched by its producers' reputations anytime soon. The lawsuit frenzy surrounding the film is a stark reminder that even in Hollywood's most glamorous circles, allegations of misconduct can have far-reaching consequences.

As the dust settles on this messy drama, one thing is certain: the truth about what really happened on set will eventually come to light. And when it does, fans of "It Ends with Us" will finally get a glimpse into the toxic relationship between two of its biggest stars. Stay tuned for more updates on this juicy saga!