The legal battle surrounding the film “It Ends With Us” continues to escalate as actress Blake Lively faces yet another lawsuit, this time from a Texas crisis communications specialist. This latest development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing feud between Lively and her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
On February 4, 2025, Jed Wallace, the owner of the crisis PR firm Street Relations, filed a defamation lawsuit against Lively in Texas federal court. The $7 million lawsuit alleges that Lively falsely accused Wallace and his company of participating in a smear campaign against her, which has led to significant reputational damage for Wallace and his firm. Wallace is not named as a defendant in Lively’s suit against Baldoni, but is named in court papers and the related New York Times story.
Lively’s legal team responded by dismissing the lawsuit as an act of retaliation, stating, “While this lawsuit will be dismissed, we are pleased that Mr. Wallace has finally emerged from the shadows, and that he too will be held accountable in federal court.” Seeking to depose Wallace, Lively alleged that he was involved in efforts by Baldoni’s publicists to “create, seed, manipulate, and advance disparaging content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums.”
Wallace’s lawsuit follows Lively’s own legal actions against Baldoni and his associates, in which she alleged sexual harassment and workplace safety violations during the production of “It Ends With Us” and an orchestrated public relations attack against her thereafter.
Lively’s lawsuit in New York federal court followed an earlier complaint she had filed with the California Civil Rights Department, in which she claimed Baldoni had invaded her privacy by entering her makeup trailer uninvited and had pressured her to lose weight months after giving birth.
In response, Baldoni countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, her publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm, accusing them of defamation and of launching a smear campaign against him. Baldoni’s legal team argued that Lively had fabricated allegations to damage his career and control the film’s production.
As the lawsuits have continued, both sides have been accused of trying to sway public opinion. On February 1, 2025, Baldoni’s team launched a website detailing his version of events, including alleged communications with Lively. His attorneys claim this evidence proves Lively’s allegations were exaggerated or false. Meanwhile, Lively’s team has criticized Baldoni’s strategy, calling it an “endless stream of defamatory and extrajudicial media statements.” New York federal judge Lewis J. Liman recently warned both parties that if they continued to litigate in the press, the trial — currently scheduled for March 2026 — could be moved up.
Additional Reading
Blake Lively is sued by Texas crisis specialist in latest ‘It Ends With Us’ lawsuit, AP News (February 5, 2025)
Justin Baldoni Vs. Blake Lively Feud Explained: Lively Sued By PR Firm For Alleged Defamation, Forbes (February 5, 2025)
Defamation Law, Justia
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