Judge grants Blake Lively confidentiality order to protect private messages and acknowledges ‘gossip’ could spread

Blake Lively‘s petition for a modified protective order in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni and other parties involved with It Ends With Us has received judicial approval. The court has, however, narrowed the scope of her requested restrictions, indicating a challenging path forward as certain sensitive details remain potentially exposed to public view.

Judge Lewis J. Liman determined that while specific confidential materials will remain protected, the “Attorneys’ Eyes Only” (AEO) designation applies solely when information disclosure is “highly likely to cause a significant business, commercial, financial or privacy injury.”

The judge emphasized concerns about information leaks, noting, “confidential information is not disclosed to the media, it may spread by gossip and innuendo within the tight artistic community.”

February 28, 2022 – New York, New York – Blake Lively. The Adam Project Netflix World Premiere held at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. Photo Credit: LJ Fotos/AdMedia

This observation underscores the delicate nature of Hollywood’s entertainment sphere, where information can spread swiftly, inflicting considerable damage.

Blake Lively’s spokesperson conveyed satisfaction, stating, “Today, the Court rejected the Wayfarer Parties’ objections and entered the protections needed to ensure the free flow of discovery material without any risk of witness intimidation or harm to any individual’s security.”

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, commented that the ruling matched their position, “We are fully in agreement with the Court’s decision to provide a narrow scope of protections to categories such as private mental health records and personal security measures that have never been of interest to us.”

He challenged Lively’s “exceedingly overbroad demand for documents” and confirmed their intention to disclose relevant communications to challenge her assertions.

04/21/2017 – Justin Baldonia at Variety’s Power of Women Luncheon in New York. Photo Credit: PBG/PA Images/INSTARimages.com

The legal clash emerged from Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign, which Baldoni strongly contests. He countered with a $400 million lawsuit targeting Lively, her spouse Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging defamation and extortion.

During this high-stakes dispute, Baldoni’s legal team has exposed details about Lively’s celebrity connections, including Taylor Swift, and established a website to present their evidence before trial.

The recent judicial decision, while restricting Lively’s initial broad confidentiality requests, establishes specific protections against reputation damage and media exposure. Nevertheless, as legal proceedings advance, both parties maintain their determination to validate their respective positions.