Blake Lively issues defiant statement after case against Justin Baldoni is gutted by judge
New York, New York - Blake Lively has broken her silence after her lawsuit against co-star Justin Baldoni was gutted by a federal judge ahead of their May trial.
On Thursday, 10 out of the 38-year-old actor's 13 claims against Baldoni were dismissed, including those accusing him of sexual harassment.
However, Lively's claims that the 42-year-old filmmaker and his team conducted a retaliatory smear campaign against her will proceed.
"I'm grateful for the Court's ruling which allows the heart of my case to be presented to a jury next month, and for the ability to finally tell my story in full at trial, for my own sake, but also for those who don't have the same opportunity to... many of whom I have known and loved deeply in my life, and the countless I'll never know," she wrote in a statement shared Friday.
She emphasized that the "pervasive retaliation" she faced after coming forward with her sexual harassment allegations was what drove her to file the lawsuit in the first place.
"I hope the Court's decision shows others that, as unfathomably painful as it is, you can speak up," Lively added.
The A Simple Favor star also said that the online discourse painting the case as mere "celebrity drama" was "irresponsible" and "by design".
"The physical pain from digital violence is very real," Lively wrote. "It is abuse. And it's everywhere… my claims won't be the first or last time you'll see examples of the extreme dangers of retaliation and digital warfare."
Lively and Baldoni respond to major court ruling
In addition to her full statement, Lively also shared numerous quotes from the court ruling to her Instagram story that highlighted the judge's findings that she has presented "affirmative evidence" to support her allegations of a smear campaign.
Baldoni's team previously applauded the ruling, underscoring that Lively's case is now "significantly narrowed" and saying that they "look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court."
Lively and Baldoni are both expected to testify when the case goes to trial on May 18.
Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / UPI Photo