8 Shocking Revelations Behind The Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni 'Transcript Dispute' Lawsuit
The high-stakes legal battle between Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has escalated dramatically, with the latest development revolving around a contentious "transcript dispute" that has captured the industry's attention. As of December 22, 2025, the core of the controversy stems from a series of explosive lawsuits filed by the *It Ends With Us* co-stars against each other, alleging everything from sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment to defamation and an orchestrated smear campaign. The recent court ruling concerning the sealing of a key legal document has provided a critical, and often confusing, twist to the ongoing saga.
This comprehensive deep dive cuts through the complex legal jargon to explain the true nature of the dispute, which is centered on the sealing of Blake Lively’s deposition transcript, not the movie's screenplay. This is a crucial distinction, highlighting the personal and professional fallout from their collaboration on the highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. We break down the full timeline, the serious allegations, and the profiles of the two actors now locked in a bitter, protracted legal war.
The Complete Profile of the Co-Stars: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
The legal conflict pits two established Hollywood figures against one another, each known for prominent roles and successful production ventures. Understanding their professional backgrounds provides necessary context for the gravity of the dispute.
Blake Lively: Actress, Entrepreneur, and Producer
- Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown (Professionally known as Blake Lively)
- Born: August 25, 1987, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Key Roles: Serena van der Woodsen in the drama series *Gossip Girl* (2007–2012), *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* (2005), *The Town* (2010), and *A Simple Favor* (2018).
- Family: Married to actor Ryan Reynolds.
- Other Ventures: Founder of the non-alcoholic beverage company Betty Buzz.
- Role in Dispute: Plaintiff in the sexual harassment and hostile work environment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
Justin Baldoni: Actor, Director, and Filmmaker
- Full Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
- Born: January 24, 1984, Los Angeles, California, U.S. (Raised in Medford, Oregon).
- Key Roles: Rafael Solano on The CW satirical telenovela *Jane the Virgin* (2014–2019).
- Directing/Producing: Directed and starred in *Five Feet Apart* (2019) and *Clouds* (2020). He is the co-founder of Wayfarer Studios.
- Role in Dispute: Defendant in Lively’s lawsuit and Plaintiff in a countersuit for defamation against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and others.
Unpacking the "Transcript Dispute": Sealing the Deposition Records
The term "transcript dispute" does not refer to a disagreement over the dialogue of the *It Ends With Us* film, but rather a fierce legal skirmish over the public disclosure of a critical piece of evidence: Blake Lively’s sworn testimony.
The Courtroom Victory for Blake Lively
In a significant legal maneuver in late 2025, Blake Lively achieved a courtroom victory when a judge granted her motion to have her deposition transcript removed or sealed from the public court record. A deposition is a formal, pre-trial sworn testimony given by a witness or party in a lawsuit, and its contents can be highly sensitive, especially in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct and defamation.
This ruling was a major blow to Justin Baldoni’s legal team, who had sought to keep the transcript public. Reports indicate that the judge was critical of the manner in which Baldoni’s lawyers had handled the sensitive transcript, with one source suggesting the judge "blasted" the team for their conduct. The sealing of the document ensures that the specific details of Lively’s testimony—which reportedly includes her direct account of the alleged sexual harassment and hostile work environment on the *It Ends With Us* set—remain confidential, at least for the time being.
The Battle for Public Perception
The fight over the transcript is a clear example of how the legal battle is also a war of public perception. Lively's legal team is focused on protecting the integrity of her testimony and preventing its use outside of the proper legal context, while Baldoni's team likely sought its public release to challenge her claims or influence public opinion. The sealing order is a win for Lively in controlling the narrative and protecting her privacy during the pre-trial phase of the lawsuit.
The Broader Legal Battle: Sexual Harassment, Defamation, and the *It Ends With Us* Set
The transcript dispute is merely one chapter in a much larger, complex, and highly publicized legal feud that began to unfold in late 2024, shortly after the filming and release of the movie *It Ends With Us*.
Lively's Allegations of Misconduct
Blake Lively’s initial lawsuit accuses Justin Baldoni—who served as both her co-star and the film’s director—of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment during the production of the film. The complaint also alleges that Baldoni initiated a "smear campaign" against Lively after she raised concerns about his conduct and the on-set atmosphere. Furthermore, Lively’s complaint suggests that other women on the set of *It Ends With Us* also experienced discomfort due to Baldoni's alleged behavior, with their concerns reportedly documented internally.
Baldoni's Defamation Countersuit
In response, Justin Baldoni filed a countersuit for defamation. Baldoni’s lawsuit names not only Lively but also her husband, Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times, alleging they conspired to "destroy" his reputation. Baldoni’s legal representatives have vehemently denied all of Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. The countersuit claims that Lively was the source of "issues" on the film set and that the public statements and media coverage surrounding her initial complaint constituted a coordinated effort to defame him.
Key Entities and Evidence in the Lawsuit
The ongoing litigation involves several key entities and pieces of evidence that are central to the case:
- Wayfarer Studios: Baldoni’s production company, also named as a defendant in Lively's lawsuit.
- Vivian Baker’s Transcript: The deposition transcript of Blake Lively’s makeup artist, Vivian Baker, was unsealed, providing a separate source of testimony regarding the on-set environment.
- The New York Times: Named in Baldoni’s defamation suit, with his team alleging that the newspaper had early access to Lively’s complaint, suggesting a coordinated media leak.
- Trial Date: The highly anticipated trial is currently scheduled for May 18, 2026, marking a long road ahead for both parties.
The Future of the Feud and the *It Ends With Us* Legacy
The legal and personal feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni continues to cast a long shadow over the success of their collaborative film, *It Ends With Us*. While the movie itself has been a commercial hit, the ongoing lawsuits—particularly the intense fighting over the sealing and unsealing of legal documents like the deposition transcript—ensure that the production's controversy remains a major talking point.
The outcome of this protracted legal battle will have significant ramifications for both actors' careers and the broader conversation in Hollywood regarding on-set conduct and accountability. As the trial date approaches, the focus remains on the court's handling of evidence, the credibility of the allegations of sexual harassment and defamation, and the final judgment that will ultimately determine the truth behind the explosive claims.
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