After a major setback in her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively‘s image in the industry has seemingly suffered a blow, with a Hollywood source saying the case has “ruined her.”
A few days after a federal judge dismissed several of her claims against Baldoni, the actress shared a statement on Instagram, expressing her desire to see the case through while also noting she’s doing it for other victims of harassment.
Now, experts have also claimed that Blake Lively’s defiant remarks could cost her greatly if she loses the court case, noting that she must win in order to save her reputation.
Industry Sources Claim Lively’s Lawsuit Has ‘Ruined’ Her In Hollywood
Lively’s lawsuit against her “It Ends With Us” costar Justin Baldoni is now in a critical stage, as their trial is scheduled for May 18, barely five weeks away.
However, it appears some within Hollywood circles have already surmised her fate, and it’s not looking good at all.
According to the Daily Mail, a Disney executive shared that the lawsuit has tainted Lively’s image in Hollywood, and it’s very unlikely she will recover from the fallout of the court battle.
“This lawsuit has ruined her in Hollywood… the truth is she was never that popular. She had a reputation for being difficult, one of those toxic people who always thinks she knows best,” the industry insider said.
Within those industry circles, the source went further to explain that it is believed the “Gossip Girl” star was the architect of her legal problems, adding that no one would feel bad over Lively’s potential career decline.
The Hollywood source said, “The general view now is that she’s made her bed and she can lie in it. I don’t think people in Hollywood are shedding tears over her.”
The Actress’s Claim Of Sexual Harassment Was Dismissed
Lively’s legal standoff with Baldoni has been going on for almost two years after she accused him of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her to tarnish her image.
The director denied the allegations and filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, citing intimidation, but that suit has since been dismissed.
However, just like Baldoni, Lively’s case also recently suffered a massive blow after Judge Lewis Liman threw out 10 of her 13 claims against her former co-star, including sexual harassment and defamation. It leaves her with just 3 allegations to prove, namely breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, which will all now go to trial.
According to the Daily Mail, her lawyers reportedly got on a conference call with Baldoni’s lawyers to talk about a possible settlement, but it appears that meeting didn’t yield much, as Lively’s lawyers later filed a letter doubling down on their intention to see the case through.
Blake Lively Says She Is Fighting To ‘Expose The Systems And People Who Seek To Harm’
After her major claims were dismissed, the “Another Simple Favor” actress took to Instagram to share a statement, essentially saying that she’s not doing it for herself.
“I’m grateful to the court’s ruling which allows my case to be presented to a jury next month, and for the ability to finally tell my story in full at trial, for my own sake, but also for those who don’t have the same opportunity to…many of whom I have known and loved deeply in my life, and the countless I’ll never know,” the statement began.
Lively explained that she never wanted the lawsuit, but after suffering a “pervasive retaliation,” she decided to file for her sake and others, adding that she hopes it will help other possible victims speak up.
She also reflected on the media circus that ensued after she filed her lawsuit, while calling out how the media is painting it as a “celebrity drama.”
“I will never stop doing my part in fighting to expose the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence, and retaliate against victims,” Lively concluded her statement. “I know it’s a privilege to stand up. I will not waste it. Your support keeps me going.”
The Actress’s Risks Becoming A ‘Pariah’ Like Amber Heard
Brand experts have since weighed in on Lively’s legal troubles, noting that she is currently in a challenging situation with her career at risk, especially after her defiant remarks about the lawsuit.
In a chat with Fox News Digital, Jordan Matthews of Holtz Matthews LLP explained that a verdict completely exonerating Baldoni could leave the actress in a vulnerable state, similar to Amber Heard, who has since become somewhat of a “pariah” in Hollywood.
“It could essentially put her in the same category as Amber Heard, and she could be viewed as a pariah,” Matthews noted. “If she and Baldoni both testify, then this will largely come down to witness credibility and how effective each of their legal teams are at cross-examination.”
Entertainment attorney Tre Lovell had a similar stance, as he emphasized the importance of the trial’s outcome for Lively’s career and public image.
“Her reputation has taken a very big hit, and she needs to resurrect her brand, the first step of which will be to win the case,” Lovell told the news outlet. “As a result, aggressive litigation can only help her; now is not the time for her to take her foot off of the pedal.”
Blake Lively May Move To The U.K. After Her Legal Battle With Justin Baldoni
Meanwhile, rumors are rife that Lively and Reynolds will settle for a new life in the U.K. after her case with Baldoni is over. The move reportedly comes in response to both their careers now standing on shaky ground.
As reported by The Blast, podcaster Lady Colin Campbell, the couple has already bought a house in Barnet, a posh town on the outskirts of London, and could move there on a “semi-permanent” basis.
Campbell claims that they’re both aware their careers are now “in the tank,” with Reynolds’ standing in Hollywood being “revised.”
Amid the case, the couple has also suffered strained ties with some of their Hollywood pals, most notably Taylor Swift, who was dragged into the case after Baldoni alleged Lively likened her to one of her “dragons.”