Blake Lively Seeks $8 Million in Attorney Fees From Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios
Blake Lively has asked a judge to award her $8 million in attorneys’ fees and costs for having to defend against Justin Baldoni‘s defamation suit against her.
Lively accused Baldoni, her co-star and director, of sexually harassing her on the set of “It Ends With Us,” and of launching an online whisper campaign against her after she complained. In response, Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios filed a $400 million defamation suit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging that they had weaponized false allegations of harassment in order to seize control of the film.
Related Stories
Bravo Bucks Tough Ad Trends, Keeping Some Upfront Dollars Moving Away From Traditional Cable (EXCLUSIVE)
Andy Cohen on the ‘Summer House’ Reunion, the Magic of ‘The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’ and the ‘Very Intimate Relationship’ Fans Feel With Bravo
The defamation suit was dismissed last year, after the judge ruled that Lively’s allegations were protected by litigation privilege. Lively dropped her lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer, and others on the eve of trial in May. No money changed hands in the settlement, but Lively was allowed to pursue her motion for fees.
Popular on Variety
Judge Lewis Liman agreed earlier this month that Lively should receive attorney fees under a 2023 California law meant to protect sexual abuse accusers from retaliatory defamation suits. At the same time, he denied Lively’s request for damages.
In a motion filed on Monday night, Lively’s lawyers stated they billed her $7.5 million in fees — at rates as high as $2,187 per hour — in the course of defending against the defamation suit. Another $540,000 was spent on legal costs.
Her attorneys argued that the fee award would help to deter frivolous and retaliatory suits against accusers in the future.
“This gross abuse of the legal system was not meant to win in court — its aim was to retaliate against Lively by falsely branding her a liar, intimidating witnesses and the media, and discouraging others from speaking out,” they wrote in the motion.
The $8 million in fees represents only a fraction of the legal costs incurred by Lively during the course of 18 months of litigation against Baldoni. The fee award does not cover any costs associated with her own suit, which entailed extensive depositions, other discovery, document review, motion practice, and public relations.
Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, Lively’s lead attorneys, hailed the judge’s earlier ruling allowing them to seek reimbursement for defending against the defamation suit.
“Thanks to this landmark decision, those considering using a lawsuit as a weapon of intimidation have been put on notice that there are consequences for doing so,” they said in a statement. “The value of this ruling is in the precedent it creates, the accountability it imposes, and the protection it provides to those who may one day find themselves facing similar retaliation for speaking the truth.”
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, previously downplayed the judge’s ruling,
“Ms. Lively was only awarded limited attorney fees for a single claim as part of a case that lasted only a matter of months, nothing more,” he said earlier this month, noting that 10 of Lively’s 13 claims were thrown out by the judge before the settlement. “Notwithstanding that all of her sexual harassment and defamation claims were thrown out by the court, Ms. Lively then pivoted to exploit a California law that was established to protect real victims in what proved to be a fruitless mission to obtain damages. Once again, she failed.”
Baldoni’s team declined to comment on the request for fees, but will have an opportunity to respond in court before a sum is awarded.
Jump to Comments-
ABC Submits Broadcast Renewal Applications to FCC ‘Under Protest,’ Says Agency Order Is ‘Unlawful, Arbitrary and Unconstitutional’
-
Disney Is ‘Choosing Courage Over Capitulation’ in Face of Trump Administration’s ‘Weaponization’ of FCC to Attack Jimmy Kimmel and ‘The View,’ Democratic Commissioner Says
-
‘Growing Pains’ Star Kirk Cameron Says He Left California Because of ‘Terrible’ Politics and ‘All the Other Things That Make it Difficult to Raise a Family’
-
Grammy Awards Set Nominations and Telecast Date for 2027 Move to ABC and Hulu
-
ABC Summer Schedule: ‘Celebrity Family Feud,’ ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’ ‘Press Your Luck’ Set Return Dates
-
ABC Fall 2026 Schedule: ‘High Potential’ Moves to Midseason in Surprise Shift; ‘Scrubs’ Gets Fall Slot
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
