Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni‘s legal fight is still playing out, but some fans believe the real turning point has already come and gone.
As the case unfolds, social media users have started mapping out a timeline of events, pointing to a specific moment in 2024 they believe marked the beginning of her fallout in Hollywood. Lively, however, appears unfazed, continuing to push forward despite reports she was urged to settle.
Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, has also become part of the conversation. Speculation has been mounting over how involved he may be behind the scenes, even as insiders maintain he’s standing firmly by her side.
New Texts Reveal Hollywood Executive Said Lively ‘Is Done For’
Unsealed text messages have added a new layer to the scrutiny surrounding Lively’s Hollywood standing.
Once regarded as a bankable star following the success of “Gossip Girl,” the actress’s brand has taken hits in recent years amid sustained media attention and her ongoing legal battle with her “It Ends with Us” co-star.
Now, fans are pointing to August 21, 2024, as a defining moment. In newly surfaced messages, Sanford Panitch, president of Sony Pictures Entertainment, allegedly reacted by calling the actress “un-hirable” and saying she would “never work again.”
In the same exchange, another party suggested Lively could recover with “an apology to that reporter.” However, Panitch reportedly doubled down, stating she “is done for” and added that had she “protected the show,” the situation may have been avoided.
Blake Lively’s Case Narrowed After Key Rulings
Lively’s legal battle has also taken a significant hit in recent weeks.
The actress initially filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni in December, accusing him of orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her reputation. The actor denied the allegations and responded with a countersuit against Lively, her husband Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane.
Baldoni’s suit claimed that the trio had worked together to undermine him and take control of the film. That countersuit was later dismissed by the court.
However, Lively’s own case has now been significantly narrowed. Judge Lewis Liman dismissed ten of her 13 claims, including sexual harassment and defamation. The ruling leaves breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation as the only three claims still in play.
Industry Insider Claims Lawsuit ‘Ruined’ Lively’s Standing
Lively is also said to be facing harsh criticism from within industry circles.
According to the Daily Mail, a Disney executive claimed earlier this month that the actress’s lawsuit has effectively derailed her standing in Hollywood, alleging that studios may be reluctant to work with her moving forward.
“This lawsuit has ruined her in Hollywood,” the insider, who allegedly worked with Lively, told the outlet.
The source went further, claiming the actress had long carried a reputation for being “difficult,” describing her as “one of those toxic people who always thinks she knows best.”
Blake Lively Will Proceed To Trial
Regardless of the situation, Lively has expressed unwillingness to settle, saying in an Instagram statement that she looks forward to proving her case in trial. The case is set to begin on May 18 in New York.
Her attorney Sigrid McCawley wrote in a statement that the “A Simple Favor” actress looks forward to “testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight.”
She added, “This case has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively’s reputation because she stood up for safety on the set, and that is the case that is going to trial.”
Ryan Reynolds Praises Blake Lively For Her ‘Integrity’
Amid the ongoing scrutiny, Reynolds is publicly standing by his wife.
During an appearance on Sunday Sitdown Live, the actor was asked by host Willie Geist how he and Lively have been navigating the fallout and keeping their family grounded.
“You really see the illusion behind so much of this stuff, digital life versus real life,” the “Deadpool” actor replied, before going on to praise Lively.
“People have no idea what is really going on,” he said. “I’ve never been more proud of someone in my life, with that level of integrity that they bring with them in everything they do.”