Justin Baldoni has channeled all eyes on Blake Lively for other reasons.

The alleged comment the actor made about his “It Ends With Us” co-star’s physical appearance is beginning to get traction amid their ongoing legal brawl. This makes headlines as their respective legal counsels buttheads on bringing the actors’ words to light.

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively starred in the 2024 Netflix film, playing romantic interests. After their legal battle ensued, where the actress slammed her co-star with a sexual assault allegation, they have made waves in the media, keeping fans invested.

New Arguments Arise In Justin Baldoni And Blake Lively’s Legal Battle 

The lawyers for Lively and Baldoni’s production studio are treading in muddy waters as they argue whether the comments the director made about the mom of four’s “weight” should be admitted into evidence. The legal reps are now reportedly deliberating whether the alleged remarks Baldoni made during the production of their movie two years ago should be brought to the attention of the jury when the trial kicks off next month.

The attorneys for the director’s studio, Wayfarer Studios, filed a motion before Judge Lewis J. Liman on April 10 requesting that the purported remarks be struck out from reaching the jurors’ ears. They argued that including the purported weight-related remarks would do their case more harm than good. The court documents show that their stance was that the weight comments would “serve only to inflame the jury and cause unfair prejudice,” hence their request.

Wayfarer’s lawyers said in the motion, reviewed by The Daily Mail, that after Judge Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims, including the sexual harassment claim and all of the claims against Baldoni personally, the alleged weight comments were “irrelevant” to the remaining 3 claims, which will proceed to trial on May 18. 

The Director’s Lawyers Expressed Happiness With The Direction Of The Case So Far

Following the 10 tossed-out claims by Liman on April 2, Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach, who represent Baldoni, told news outlets that they were very pleased at the decision of the court. “These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the court for its careful review of the facts, law, and voluminous evidence that was provided,” they said at the time.

Shapiro and Bach noted that they were glad the case had been significantly narrowed from 13 claims to 3 and that they were already looking forward to presenting their defense in court. Ow with the focus on the smear campaign, the “Gossip Girl” alum alleged Baldoni and his collaborators orchestrated, the weight comments would not be relevant. Inclusion of the remarks would “distract from the issues the jury must decide,” Wayfarer’s lawyers told the court.

On the other hand, Lively’s legal team argued otherwise, stating that the purported remarks are necessary to give context to the jury on the defendant’s conduct. “The weight‑related comments form part of the context in which Lively experienced and assessed Baldoni’s conduct and therefore bear directly on the reasonableness of her belief that she was opposing unlawful behavior,” the actress’s team explained.

Blake Lively Says Her Reputation Has Been Tarnished Online

Since the details of the case hit the media, many netizens have tagged Lively as a “mean girl” and a “bully,” and she claims that these labels have negatively impacted her career, business, and finances. She revealed that she has suffered over $40 million in direct reputational damages, and the long-running court battle has “taken a lot” out of her. 

The Blast shared that Lively reportedly hired an expert who discovered that there were 176 million impressions online, tagging her as a “mean girl,” “bully,” and “tone deaf,” and these presented a negative outlook of the actress. The expert valued the damages to her personal brand equity at between $36.5 million and $40.5 million.

Lively also shared the emotional and mental toll the case has taken on her, and insiders speculated that she might be planning to relocate to the U.K. with her family to step away from the negative light. The “Gossip Girl” alum is suing Baldoni’s company for $161 million in damages, with the breakdown being $56 million in past and future earnings, $49 million in losses to her haircare company, $22 million for her Betty Buzz beverage company, and more.

The ‘Jane The Virgin’ Alum Clapped Back At His Co-Star’s Financial Claims

Baldoni’s retort to Lively’s claims of financial damages was that she should reveal clear details of her finances as part of the ongoing case. The director argued that since she claims she suffered massive financial loss as a direct result of their legal dispute, her income and net worth are directly relevant to their trial and, as such, should be fully disclosed.

The actor told the judge that her earnings and overall financial standing should be presented to the jury as part of the case, as she opened the door to financial scrutiny with her allegations. Baldoni also requested that the court extend its arm to the actress’s husband’s financial records.

The Blast reports that Baldoni’s request stemmed from the narrative that Lively’s professional decisions are often intertwined with those of her husband, Ryan Reynolds. He further alleged that his “It Ends With Us” co-star “typically does not accept acting opportunities that conflict with Reynolds’ acting schedule, particularly when he is able to garner a higher income for his movies than she can.” 

Blake Lively Goes Low-Key Amid Court Battle With Justin Baldoni

Lively has since retreated to a much quieter lifestyle with her husband since the legal brawl gained massive attention. The actress, who was known to be the life of the party, attending several events, hanging out with fellow celebrity friends, and making headline appearances, has notably taken a step back from the glamorous life she once knew.

Her sudden absences from the social scenes are evidence that her ongoing legal trouble not only affects her career, but her personal life has also gotten the short end of the stick. The Blast notes that even her close friendship with musical icon Taylor Swift has faded as Lively is no longer a regular fixture of the musician’s outings.

The mom of four is doing her best to stay away from the press, and according to news outlets, the whole ordeal has left her feeling very tired and drained. A source close to the actress disclosed that her social habits with her family have changed as well. “They used to have big dinner parties, and I don’t think they’ve had them for a while now,” the source noted.

Who will the law favor? Justin Baldoni or Blake Lively?