Blake Lively’s Publicist Seeks Removal from Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni
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In recent Hollywood news, a significant development has taken place in the ongoing legal battle between actress Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni. Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, has made a formal request to be excluded from the $400 million lawsuit filed by Baldoni back in January.
The move was initiated through a motion to dismiss filed by Sloane’s attorney, Sigrid McCawley, in a New York federal court on Thursday, February 20. The filing specifically targets Baldoni and Wayfarer’s countersuit and also seeks to have Sloane’s firm, Vision PR, released from legal obligations pertaining to the case.
According to the filing, Sloane and her firm were allegedly drawn into the legal dispute as a diversion tactic aimed at deflecting attention from Lively’s claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. The document argues that there is no legitimate basis for accusing Sloane of orchestrating “malicious stories” or engaging in a “smear campaign.”
Furthermore, the filing goes on to defend Lively against Baldoni’s portrayal of the case as a mere creative disagreement over the film “It Ends With Us.” It highlights Baldoni’s alleged use of sexist language to describe Lively’s involvement in the project, suggesting that the accusations are unfounded and misleading.
Amidst these legal maneuvers, Baldoni’s lawyers have yet to respond to requests for comments from media outlets. Lively, on the other hand, has recently filed an amended complaint in the lawsuit, updating her initial claims against Baldoni and several other individuals involved in the case.
In her amended complaint, Lively has accused Baldoni and others of engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation tactics, including orchestrating an online smear campaign against her. The document also mentions two unnamed female co-stars who allegedly felt uncomfortable due to Baldoni’s behavior on set.
The legal back-and-forth between Lively and Baldoni has escalated with each side levelling accusations of defamation and extortion against the other. While Lively’s legal team has dismissed Baldoni’s claims as baseless, Baldoni’s camp has retaliated with counterclaims alleging a coordinated attack orchestrated by Lively and her representatives.
As the case unfolds, the entertainment industry is closely watching the proceedings, which are slated for a trial in March 2026. The allegations and accusations being traded back and forth exemplify the complexities and challenges that can arise in high-profile legal disputes within the realm of Hollywood.
In summary, the request by Blake Lively’s publicist to be removed from the lawsuit against Justin Baldoni marks a significant development in a legal battle that has captured the attention of many in the entertainment world. The intricacies of the case continue to unfold, shedding light on the complexities of navigating sensitive issues such as sexual harassment and professional conduct in the spotlight of Hollywood.
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This rewritten article provides a detailed overview of the developments in the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, focusing on the request made by Lively’s publicist to be removed from the lawsuit. The article highlights the key arguments and allegations put forth by both parties, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing dispute.