It Ends with Us sparks controversy as Blake Lively claims $161M in damages from alleged smear campaign

Blake Lively Demands $161 Million in Damages from Justin Baldoni Over Smear Campaign

Blake Lively is seeking a massive $161 million in damages from Justin Baldoni. The lawsuit stems from an alleged smear campaign connected to their film, *It Ends with Us*. Newly unsealed court documents reveal the staggering financial request.

The legal battle began in late 2024. Lively’s team claims Baldoni orchestrated a campaign to damage her reputation. This allegedly caused severe financial harm to her career and businesses.

Breakdown of the Multi-Million Dollar Claims

Lively’s legal filing provides a detailed financial breakdown. It claims she lost $56.2 million in acting and producing income. This figure includes lost roles, endorsements, and speaking fees.

Her business ventures also suffered major losses. Her haircare line, Blake Brown, allegedly lost $49 million in revenue. Her beverage companies, Betty Buzz and Betty Booze, lost a combined $22 million.

The lawsuit also quantifies reputational damage at $34 million. This is based on an analysis of 65 million negative social media impressions. According to Reuters, such detailed financial claims are rare in defamation cases.

Legal Precedent and Industry Impact

This case could set a new legal standard for celebrity lawsuits. It attempts to translate online sentiment into concrete financial damages. The outcome will be closely watched across Hollywood.

A judge already dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit in June 2025. The court found he lacked standing for his defamation claims. This strengthened Lively’s position in the ongoing dispute.

The trial is scheduled for March 2026. Both sides are expected to engage in intense discovery. Settlement negotiations are also likely as the trial date approaches.

The $161 million demand underscores the high financial stakes for A-list celebrities. A damaged reputation has direct and severe economic consequences. This case will test how courts value online smear campaigns in the digital age.

Thought you’d like to know-

What is the main reason for Blake Lively’s $161 million lawsuit?

The lawsuit alleges Justin Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign against her. This followed the release of their film *It Ends with Us* in August 2024. Lively claims this campaign severely damaged her reputation and finances.

How much did Blake Lively claim her businesses lost?

Her haircare brand, Blake Brown, allegedly lost $49 million. Her beverage companies, Betty Buzz and Betty Booze, lost a combined $22 million. These losses are central to her overall $161 million damage claim.

When is the trial scheduled to begin?

The trial is currently set for March 2026. It will take place in New York courts. The proceedings are expected to be highly publicized.

What happened to Justin Baldoni’s countersuit?

A judge dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit in June 2025. The court ruled he did not have legal standing for his defamation claims. This was a significant legal victory for Lively.

How is reputational damage calculated at $34 million?

Lively’s team based this figure on an analysis of social media. They identified 65 million negative online impressions about her. This metric is used to quantify the harm to her public image.

What was the trigger for the alleged smear campaign?

The legal filings point to the release of their film *It Ends with Us*. The alleged campaign began shortly after the movie’s August 2024 premiere. The original complaint was filed in December 2024.