Blake Lively is pushing to keep her private text messages with celebrity friends from being disclosed to Justin Baldoni,
citing concerns that he or his associates may leak them to the press.
The legal dispute between the two actors has taken another dramatic turn as Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds,
argue that certain messages should be restricted to attorneys only.
During a virtual hearing in Manhattan federal court, Lively’s legal team urged Judge Lewis Liman to implement an extra layer of protection,
ensuring that only lawyers involved in the case could access her private conversations with high-profile individuals.
This comes months after Baldoni previously released texts between himself and Lively that referenced Taylor Swift.
Lively’s attorney, Meryl Conant Governski, emphasized that the texts in question may not be directly relevant to the lawsuit but hold significant public interest. “There is a significant chance of irreparable harm if marginal conversations with high-profile individuals, which have no relevance to the case, were to fall into the wrong hands,” Governski argued. She warned that the publicity value of such texts could incentivize leaks.
Request for Added Protection
While a protective order has already been submitted to prevent both parties from sharing sensitive case information with outside sources, Lively and Reynolds are advocating for an additional restriction known as the “Attorney’s Eyes Only” provision. This would apply not only to their celebrity text messages but also to personal details regarding their mental health and security precautions taken amid the legal dispute.
Governski further argued that some of Baldoni’s co-defendants are individuals whose businesses rely on media exposure, increasing the risk of leaks. “There are 100 million reasons for these parties to leak information because the PR value is greater than complying with the court’s orders,” she stated.
Baldoni’s Team Pushes Back
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, dismissed Lively and Reynolds’ concerns, calling their request unnecessary. He found it offensive that they would suggest Baldoni’s camp would violate the existing protective order.
“My clients have the right to defend themselves, they have a right to transparency,” Freedman asserted. He also argued that the proposed restriction unfairly protects powerful figures in the entertainment industry while treating other individuals in the case differently. He maintained that the current protective order was sufficient and that additional measures were unwarranted.
Judge Liman did not make an immediate decision but acknowledged the high-profile nature of the case. He reminded both parties that federal courts operate under the presumption of public access to legal proceedings. However, he also noted that the existing protective order already prevents third parties from leaking case-related information and warned that anyone who violates these terms could face legal consequences, including contempt of court.
Legal Battle Intensifies
Lively filed her lawsuit against Baldoni in December, seeking $250 million in damages. She has accused him of sexual harassment during the production of their 2024 film and claimed that he launched a smear campaign against her when she spoke out. Baldoni, who starred in and directed the film, has denied all allegations and countered with a $400 million lawsuit against both Lively and Reynolds. He claims that Lively falsely accused him and attempted to extort him and his publicists.
Among the documents Baldoni has already submitted in his legal filings are text messages allegedly sent by Lively, in which she referenced Game of Thrones characters. In one message, she reportedly referred to herself as “Khaleesi” and called Reynolds and Swift her “dragons.”
“If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones, you’ll appreciate that I’m Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons,” Lively allegedly wrote.
Another purported message from her read: “For better or worse, but usually for better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really, we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. You will too, I can promise you.”
What Comes Next?
As the legal battle escalates, both sides remain locked in a fight over privacy and transparency. Lively and Reynolds insist their personal communications should not be exposed to Baldoni’s team, while Baldoni argues that all parties should be subject to the same legal standards.
A trial is currently scheduled for March 2026, ensuring that this high-stakes Hollywood feud will remain in the spotlight for years to come.
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