Blake Lively 'Cried with Relief' After Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit Dismissal: 'She Feels Vindicated'
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"She’s obviously relieved," a source tells PEOPLE
By Benjamin VanHoose,
Blake Lively cried when she learned Justin Baldoni's lawsuit against her was tossed by the judge on June 9, according to an insider
"She's obviously relieved," a source tells PEOPLE of the actress' reaction to the latest development in the case
Her lawyers have called it a "total victory and a complete vindication" for Lively
Blake Lively had an emotional response upon finding out Justin Baldoni's $400 million lawsuit against her was dismissed by the judge.
According to one insider, the actress, 37, "cried with relief" on Monday, June 9, after learning that Judge Lewis J. Liman tossed out Baldoni's countersuit, which accused Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds of extortion and defamation.
"She’s obviously relieved. They both are," another source tells PEOPLE. "She feels vindicated." As far as the whole legal team, "Everyone is happy," adds another source.
Lawyers for Baldoni have not responded to PEOPLE's request for comment about the judge's June 9 decision. In March, his lawyer Bryan Freedman called Lively's motion to dismiss the lawsuit "one of the most abhorrent examples of abusing our legal system." Their trial is set for March 2026.
Blake Lively attends the "Another Simple Favour" Photocall at the Corinthia Hotel London on April 15, 2025 in London, England.; Justin Baldoni arrives to the "It Ends With Us" premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on August 06, 2024 in New York City.
Blake Lively; Justin Baldoni.
Mike Marsland/WireImage; James Devaney/GC Images
Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, attorneys for Lively, spoke out in a statement after the news, claiming the latest development in the case as a "total victory and a complete vindication" for Lively, who sued her It Ends With Us costar Baldoni, 41, in December 2024 for sexual harassment and retaliation, which he has denied.
"As we have said from day one, this '$400 million' lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it," they added, mentioning that they "look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages" against Baldoni and the other Wayfarer Parties who "perpetrated this abusive litigation."
Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds at the "Another Simple Favor" Premiere held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 27, 2025 in New York, New York.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds on April 27, 2025.
John Nacion/Variety via Getty
Baldoni's $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively's CRD complaint was also tossed by the judge. When the Times published its article about the filing in December 2024, Lively said in a statement, "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted."
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While appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers May 1, Lively briefly mentioned having an "intense year" that has "been full of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life."
In April 2025, Reynolds praised wife Lively, with whom he shares four kids, telling PEOPLE, "I'm incredibly in awe of my wife in many ways." He added, "I don't know that I've met somebody stronger. And her coping mechanisms are just coffee, which is amazing to me because I don't know how I could hold what she holds and do it with grace and strength. It's pretty profound."
Lively's friend and former Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costar Amber Tamblyn reacted to the judge's decision on June 9, writing on her Instagram Stories, "Proud of you, Blake. This is a win for women everywhere who dare to speak out."
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