Blake Lively Seeks $161 Million in Damages for Smear Campaign

Blake Lively is claiming $161 million in damages resulting from a smear campaign linked to the release of her film “It Ends With Us.” Her legal team contends that this campaign led to significant financial losses across multiple ventures.

Details of the Claims

Lively’s lawsuit, filed on December 31, 2024, alleges substantial damages due to reputational harm. Her attorneys argue:

• At least $56.2 million lost in earnings from acting, producing, speaking engagements, and endorsements.
• Her beauty brand, Blake Brown, has incurred losses totaling $49 million.
• Betty Buzz, her beverage company, faced $22 million in losses as a result of damage to her public image.

Trial Information

The trial is scheduled for March, where Lively will face several individuals, including co-star and director Justin Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, and studio head Steve Sarowitz. Legal documents indicate that Lively experienced online hostility following her complaints about sexual harassment during filming.

Reputational Harm

Her attorneys estimate Lively has endured at least $34 million in reputational damages. This figure is based on approximately 65 million negative social media impressions. Initially, the lawsuit claimed damages over $75,000, but a July disclosure revealed the much larger figure of $161 million.

Additionally, Lively’s legal team intends to pursue punitive damages totaling at least three times the original claim.

Counterclaims and Celebrity Involvement

In a parallel development, Baldoni’s team had sought $400 million in damages, asserting defamation based on Lively’s allegations, but this lawsuit was dismissed in June. A judge ruled that such claims could not be pursued in this context.

Lively’s disclosure includes a list of Hollywood celebrities and executives potentially relevant to the case, including:

• Taylor Swift
• Emily Blunt
• Scooter Braun
• Hugh Jackman
• Gigi Hadid
• Ari Emanuel
• Tony Vinciquerra (Sony Pictures chairman)
• Tom Rothman (Sony film chief)

Although several well-known names appear on the list, it remains uncertain if they will testify. Notably, Swift’s involvement has been extensively litigated, with efforts by Baldoni’s team to secure her deposition ultimately proving unsuccessful.