Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are taking legal steps to prevent the release of private text messages with their celebrity friends,
fearing that Justin Baldoni may leak them to the press amid their ongoing courtroom clash.
During a virtual court hearing in Manhattan federal court, Lively’s attorney, Meryl Conant Governski, urged the judge to grant a protective order for the communications.
The legal team argued that making the messages publicly available could lead to irreparable damage,
as many of the conversations involve high-profile individuals who are not relevant to the case.
Concerns Over Privacy and Public Exposure
Governski emphasized the risks associated with the potential leakage of private exchanges, stating:
“There is a significant chance of irreparable harm if marginal conversations with high-profile individuals with no relevance to the case were to fall into the wrong hands.”
She further pointed out that there are “100 million reasons” why such information could be leaked due to its high PR value rather than out of any legal necessity.
As part of their request, Lively and Reynolds’ attorneys proposed the implementation of an “Attorney’s Eyes Only” category to ensure added security measures. This category would restrict access to particularly sensitive information, including private messages and medical records related to Lively.
Justin Baldoni’s Legal Team Pushes Back
In response, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, expressed partial agreement regarding the protection of Lively’s medical records, assuring the court that his client has no intention of violating any orders regarding private health information.
However, Freedman objected to the additional restrictions placed on text messages, arguing that Lively and Reynolds’ request would unfairly favor “celebrity people” and powerful figures in the entertainment industry.
“We shouldn’t be put in a position where we are the ones that have to run to court every single time just given attorney’s eyes only protection,” Freedman said. “My client has a right to defend himself.”
Freedman also claimed that Baldoni’s team has already taken steps to avoid mentioning third parties by name and believes that the current court model is sufficient to protect all involved parties.
Judge’s Decision Still Pending
Presiding over the case, Judge Lewis J. Liman did not issue an immediate ruling on the matter. However, he emphasized that the court values transparency while also considering the rights of the public.
A spokesperson for Lively later clarified the dispute, explaining:
“All of the parties agree that there is sensitive information in this case that should be shielded from public disclosure—the Wayfarer Parties’ proposed order would do that.”
However, the main disagreement lies in whether a narrow category of already non-public information should be available only to attorneys rather than the involved parties themselves.
The Allegations That Started It All
The legal battle between Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Baldoni began in December 2024, when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment. She claimed that the “It Ends With Us” director made inappropriate remarks about her and Reynolds’ private life and openly discussed his past struggles with pornography addiction while on and off set.
Lively further accused Baldoni of launching a smear campaign against her after she spoke out about the alleged mistreatment. Her initial allegations were first submitted as a complaint to the California Civil Rights Department before escalating into a federal lawsuit.
In response, Baldoni countersued Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist for $400 million, alleging defamation and extortion. He claimed that they deliberately damaged his reputation and attempted to manipulate the media narrative in their favor.
Speculation Over Celebrity Involvement
Although Baldoni’s lawsuit did not explicitly name any of Lively’s celebrity friends, it was widely speculated that Taylor Swift may be involved as a third party in the case. Given Swift’s close friendship with Lively and Reynolds, legal experts believe that communications between them could become a point of contention if not properly protected.
What Happens Next?
With no final ruling from the court yet, both sides will continue to battle over the release of evidence in the lead-up to trial proceedings. If the judge sides with Lively and Reynolds, Baldoni’s legal team will be restricted from accessing certain documents unless absolutely necessary.
However, if the court rules in Baldoni’s favor, his attorneys could obtain and use some of Lively’s private messages as part of their defense strategy.
Regardless of the outcome, the high-profile nature of this case ensures that it will remain under intense public scrutiny—with both sides fighting to protect their reputations and secure legal victories.
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