5 Shocking Revelations From The Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Deposition Drama

The legal saga between Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has become one of the most bizarre and high-stakes courtroom dramas in recent memory, with the core conflict revolving around a series of explosive depositions. The case, which stems from the production of the 2024 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s *It Ends With Us*, has spiraled into a complex web of defamation claims, sexual harassment allegations, and highly personal revelations under oath, captivating the public and legal experts alike.

As of December 18, 2025, the litigation continues to escalate, moving toward a dramatic trial date set for 2026. The key turning point in the case came with Blake Lively’s deposition in July, a proceeding that was sealed by the court but has since been marked by accusations of strategic leaks and the unsealing of bizarre, out-of-context testimony that has fueled the media firestorm.

Key Players: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Biography Profile

The legal battle pits two prominent figures in the entertainment industry against each other, both known for their work in major film and television projects.

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Blake Lively

• Full Name: Blake Ellender Lively (née Brown)
• Born: August 25, 1987 (Age 38 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Occupation: Actress, Model, Director
• Known For: Serena van der Woodsen in *Gossip Girl*, *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants*, *The Town*, *A Simple Favor*.
• Spouse: Ryan Reynolds (m. 2012)
• Key Role in Lawsuit: Plaintiff in a sexual harassment claim against a director (related to the production) and a defendant in Justin Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit.

Justin Baldoni

• Full Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
• Born: January 24, 1984 (Age 41 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Author
• Known For: Rafael Solano in *Jane the Virgin*, directing *Five Feet Apart* and *Clouds*.
• Key Role in Lawsuit: Co-star and director of *It Ends With Us*. Plaintiff in a defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and *The New York Times*.

The Shocking Context: From Co-Stars to Courtroom Adversaries

The origin of the current legal conflict lies in the highly anticipated production of *It Ends With Us*, the film adaptation of the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni starred as the main characters, Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid, respectively, with Baldoni also taking on directing and producing roles. The working relationship, however, allegedly soured dramatically, leading to the current litigation.

Lively’s legal team initiated a lawsuit based on claims of sexual harassment during the production of the film, although the full details remain heavily contested. In response, Justin Baldoni filed a massive defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and *The New York Times*. Baldoni's suit alleges that the defendants conspired to destroy his reputation and career by disseminating false information about him, particularly in connection with a *New York Times* article.

This dual-pronged legal battle—a sexual harassment claim and a defamation suit—created the volatile environment that led to the now-infamous deposition of Blake Lively. The stakes are incredibly high, involving not just financial damages but the reputations of two major Hollywood figures and the integrity of a major media outlet.

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Inside the Tense July Deposition and Sealed Secrets

Blake Lively’s deposition, a crucial phase in the litigation, took place around July 30 and July 31. The proceeding was immediately marked by drama, as Justin Baldoni was reportedly present in the room while Lively was questioned under oath. This face-to-face confrontation between the co-stars during the deposition created an atmosphere described as tense and hostile.

A key win for Lively’s legal team was having the deposition transcripts sealed by the court, a move intended to prevent sensitive testimony from becoming public. However, this sealing order quickly became a point of contention. Lively’s legal team later accused Baldoni’s side of leaking details from the sealed deposition to the media, an act they claim was an attempt to "create a false narrative" and manipulate public opinion.

Despite the sealing, a section of the transcript was made public, confirming a "tense exchange" between Lively and Baldoni’s lawyer. This leak, whether intentional or not, has significantly escalated the public nature of the legal dispute, turning what should have been a private legal procedure into fodder for celebrity gossip and legal speculation. The deposition drama is a central piece of evidence that both sides are attempting to use to their advantage as the case moves forward.

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The Most Bizarre Revelations: Circumcision, Metadata, and Ryan Reynolds' Texts

The unsealed portions and subsequent leaks from the depositions have revealed details that are wildly out of context from a standard legal dispute, pushing the case from a typical Hollywood lawsuit into a truly bizarre spectacle.

1. The Circumcision Comment

Perhaps the most shocking revelation to emerge from the legal documents is a personal comment made by Justin Baldoni to Blake Lively. Baldoni confirmed under oath that he told Lively he is circumcised. This highly unusual and private detail has been presented as a key issue in the sexual harassment portion of the case, demonstrating the strange and sensitive nature of the claims being investigated as the lawsuit heads toward trial.

2. The Metadata Mystery

The defamation lawsuit against *The New York Times* hinges on contested HTML metadata. Baldoni’s team is arguing that the metadata in a *Times* article was manipulated or used improperly to damage his reputation, adding a layer of technical complexity—the "Metadata Mystery"—to the already complicated legal clash.

3. Ryan Reynolds’ Text Messages

The involvement of Blake Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, has also been a major focus. Baldoni’s team has escalated the legal battle by launching a website and leaking new text messages from Reynolds. One text message allegedly shows Reynolds expressing affection for Baldoni, stating, "I happen to adore you, Justin." Baldoni’s strategy appears to be an attempt to show a discrepancy between the public narrative of animosity and the private communications between the parties, thereby challenging the defamation claims.

4. Accusations of Transcript Manipulation

The back-and-forth between the legal teams has led to accusations that Lively attempted to strike her own words from the deposition transcript. This action, often referred to as trying to "cook up a new" narrative, is a serious allegation in a legal setting and further highlights the intense, combative nature of the litigation.

5. The Trial Postponement

The legal drama is far from over. The trial has been postponed, with the current expectation for a trial decision now set for either March 2026 or May 2026. This delay gives both legal teams more time to prepare for what is anticipated to be a highly publicized and contentious courtroom battle, involving key entities like The New York Times and the sensitive details from the depositions. The ongoing litigation, including the unsealed deposition details, ensures the public interest in the *It Ends With Us* legal saga will remain high until the final verdict.