Blake Lively is pushing back hard against what she describes as an attempt to turn a serious legal matter into a media circus. As her lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni over sexual harassment and retaliation moves forward, the actress has filed a new motion accusing his legal team of deliberately courting publicity. In her latest filing, Lively has requested that her deposition be held on July 17 at a confidential location, with all attendees identified in advance—an effort to maintain privacy and prevent further media frenzy surrounding the case.The legal tension escalated after a lawyer for Justin —whose counterclaims against Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for extortion and defamation were dismissed last month—previously insisted that Blake’s deposition be conducted publicly, arguing that the public had a right to witness it. This move further fueled Blake’s concerns about the case being turned into a media spectacle.In May, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, stirred controversy by telling People magazine that Blake Lively’s deposition should be held at Madison Square Garden, streamed or ticketed, and the proceeds donated to domestic abuse charities—further fueling Blake’s accusation that the legal team was trying to turn the case into a “public spectacle.”Following the court filing, Lively’s representatives strongly criticized Justin Baldoni’s legal team for attempting to sensationalize a serious legal matter. In a statement to People magazine, they emphasized that Blake is ready for her upcoming deposition, but insisted it should be conducted like any other in the case—privately and with due decorum. They accused Baldoni’s lawyer of repeatedly trying to turn the proceedings into a media spectacle, referencing the outrageous suggestion to televise the deposition at Madison Square Garden. “This is a serious matter of sexual harassment and retaliation and it deserves to be treated as such,” they stated.In the latest court filing, Blake, 37, has urged the judge to prevent Justin and his legal team from choosing the location of her upcoming deposition. Her legal representatives argued that Baldoni’s team appears intent on orchestrating a “harassing publicity stunt” by potentially exposing her to paparazzi and inviting media figures or social media influencers to attend. The filing further accused the defendants of exploiting even the mere anticipation of Blake’s deposition to stir public and media interest from the very start of the legal battle.Blake’s legal team also raised concerns about safety and privacy, citing the high-profile nature of the case and the sensitive nature of her retaliation claims. They argued that without a protective order, the deposition could devolve into a media spectacle, drawing individuals who may pose security risks and further compromising the integrity of the legal process.Lively’s lawyers called the motion a “reasonable request” aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation, and potential threats—both verbal and physical. They accused Justin Baldoni’s team of attempting to stage another PR stunt by using the deposition as a spectacle, rather than respecting the serious nature of the ongoing legal proceedings.A trial is set to take place in March 2026.
