Overview:
Actress Blake Lively is pushing back against what her lawyers call a "media circus" surrounding her deposition in a high-profile lawsuit against actor-director Justin Baldoni. Following the leak of a 292-page draft transcript, Lively’s legal team has filed motions in New York court, seeking to suppress the leaked material and sanction Baldoni’s attorney for what they allege is a targeted media manipulation campaign. With a trial date set for March 2026, this unfolding case is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched legal battles in the entertainment world.
By Mari YL
When actress Blake Lively walked into her legal deposition on July 31, 2025, she likely anticipated that the proceedings would remain within the bounds of the courtroom. What she didn’t expect—according to her legal team—was for details of her clothing, timing, and presence to be leaked to the press just days later, triggering what she now calls a “media circus.”
The fallout has been swift and severe. As of August 5, 2025, Lively’s lawyers have formally asked a New York judge to strike from the record a leaked, unverified 292-page transcript draft of her deposition, given as part of her ongoing lawsuit against actor and director Justin Baldoni. They have also filed a motion seeking sanctions against Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, alleging a “calculated attempt to manipulate public perception.”
A Conflict Years in the Making
Lively and Baldoni once worked together on the film adaptation of It Ends With Us, a highly anticipated project that has now become the center of a complex legal firestorm.
In late 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment on the film’s set. In turn, Baldoni responded with a defamation and extortion lawsuit in early 2025, seeking $400 million in damages.
That lawsuit was dismissed in June 2025, with the court finding insufficient evidence to support Baldoni’s counterclaims. It was a significant win for Lively, but it did not stop the legal wrangling. As part of her original case, Lively was deposed on July 31—a process that has now taken center stage in the latest legal drama.
What Was Leaked—and Why It Matters
Just days after the deposition, multiple media outlets published what appeared to be inside information about the event: when Lively arrived, what she wore, and even who accompanied her. Her attorneys argue that this was not an accident—but a deliberate leak designed to frame the proceedings as confrontational and dramatic.
According to court documents filed Monday, Lively’s team claims that “Mr. Baldoni arrived at the deposition with four lawyers and three representatives from a crisis PR firm,” and that these individuals worked quickly to push a “selective, unverified narrative” to the media. Lively herself was reportedly accompanied only by her legal counsel and publicist.
“It’s not just unethical,” her team wrote. “It’s a campaign of public intimidation and reputational warfare.”
The leaked deposition transcript, nearly 300 pages long, was flagged by Lively’s lawyers as a “rough draft”—not the final certified record. They argue that its selective circulation violates legal protocol and potentially taints the case.
A Pattern of Escalation
This is not the first time Baldoni and his legal team have been accused of using media pressure to sway public opinion. In earlier filings, Lively’s lawyers accused attorney Bryan Freedman of making inflammatory public statements, including calling Lively a “Hollywood narcissist” and suggesting she was weaponizing fame to destroy Baldoni’s career.
Freedman has denied all wrongdoing and maintains that his client has a right to respond publicly to accusations he believes are false and damaging.
Still, Lively’s team says the latest leak crosses a serious ethical line.
“This isn’t transparency—it’s spin,” one legal filing notes. “And it’s intended to undermine Ms. Lively’s credibility before the trial even begins.”
Stakes Beyond the Courtroom
The legal battle is unfolding in a climate of heightened awareness around abuse and accountability in Hollywood. Lively, who has largely stayed out of scandal throughout her career, has received both support and criticism since filing her lawsuit last year. Her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, has stood by her side, though he has not commented publicly on the case.
Meanwhile, Baldoni—known for Jane the Virgin and his socially conscious directing—has portrayed himself as the victim of a smear campaign.
Insiders say the set of It Ends With Us was already fraught with tension before legal claims surfaced. Text messages unsealed earlier this summer showed producers and editors expressing frustration with Lively’s creative control, particularly over intimate scenes.
“She basically has final say over everything,” one editor reportedly texted. “It’s exhausting.”
Lively’s defenders argue that such oversight is critical to protecting actors in vulnerable positions—especially women.
“She wasn’t being difficult—she was setting boundaries,” one former colleague told People under condition of anonymity.
What Happens Next
The trial is currently set for March 9, 2026, in New York. Until then, both legal teams are expected to continue filing motions, calling witnesses, and debating what evidence will be admissible. Given the high profile of the parties involved and the increasingly public nature of their dispute, many legal observers believe this could become one of the most closely watched celebrity trials of the decade.
“This has all the hallmarks of a defining #MeToo-era case,” says legal analyst Rebecca Torres. “Big names, big money, and the question of who gets to control the story.”
For now, Lively is urging the court—and the public—to refocus attention on the heart of the matter: accountability.
“I didn’t file this lawsuit to become a headline,” Lively said in a statement earlier this year. “I filed it because no one, no matter how powerful, should get away with abuse.”
As the court deliberates whether to sanction Baldoni’s legal team and suppress the leaked deposition materials, one thing is clear: the stakes are growing by the day, and the outcome could have ripple effects far beyond the courtroom.
Editor’s Disclaimer:
This article contains allegations that are currently the subject of ongoing legal proceedings. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law. Presence News does not endorse or confirm any unverified claims or leaked documents referenced herein. This article is intended for informational and reporting purposes only.
