Blake Lively sues Justin Baldoni over sexual harassment

In the United States, the ongoing legal drama involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken center stage since December 2024. This conflict began with Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni, which accused him of sexual harassment amid backlash from the film 'It Ends With Us.' Lively alleged that Baldoni's public relations team orchestrated a smear campaign against her through crisis management tactics that involved manipulating social media narratives. Further complicating matters, Baldoni countersued Lively for $400 million, claiming extortion and defamation, asserting that the lawsuit represents retaliation against him for his actions. As the situation unfolded, both parties avoided public appearances together, leading fans to speculate about their deteriorating relationship during promotional events for their movie. Notably, Lively's absence at public gatherings, including high-profile events such as the Super Bowl, raised eyebrows as the actress has typically been seen supporting her friends, most prominently Taylor Swift. This legal feud has generated significant media attention, drawing in public commentary and opinion, particularly with Chelsea Handler mocking the ongoing lawsuit during the Critics Choice Awards in February 2025. Handler's jokes highlighted the actors' situation as a much-needed