Movies

Blake Lively fears Justin Baldoni will make her deposition a ‘public spectacle’ after BIZARRE venue request

BBG News

Blake Lively is gearing up to face challenging inquiries from Justin Baldoni’s legal team, as she seeks a suitable location for her upcoming courtroom session in her persistent sexual harassment case against him.

However, it appears that the legal team of the 37-year-old actress is concerned that Baldoni’s lawyers might attempt to turn her sworn testimony into a public event, as suggested in court documents obtained by DailyMail.com last Friday.

To avoid excessive media attention during the chaotic court case, the actress’ legal team aimed to arrange the deposition at a site with minimal public exposure. This specific location, situated in New York City, was initially mentioned but was later omitted from the records following a petition by her lawyers.

Instead of her suggested location offering a sharp difference, Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, has proposed something quite different. He earlier communicated with TMZ that Lively’s deposition should be broadcast live to the public at New York City’s famous indoor stadium, Madison Square Garden.

Freedman proposed an idea, initially dismissed by Lively’s legal representative as a diversion for publicity, which involved raising funds for domestic violence victims through ticket sales for the event.

Freedman suggested an approach that Lively’s lawyer considered a publicity ploy at first; it entailed generating revenue by selling tickets to the event and donating the earnings to aid victims of domestic violence.

Representatives for Lively and Baldoni have been reached out to by DailyMail.com for comment, but no response has been received as of yet.

The involved parties have decided to hold the deposition on July 17, but recent court documents suggest that there has been a disagreement between them regarding the discovery rules.

In an exchange of emails filed as evidence, Lively’s legal representatives claimed that Baldoni’s team had not sent the hard drives containing evidence in a timely fashion. This delay would make it challenging for the Gossip Girl actress and her team to scrutinize any documents or videos referred to by the defendants during questioning about her.

In the recent submissions, Baldoni’s legal representatives have indicated apprehension that she might be intentionally exposed to the glare of paparazzi and curious onlookers if the deposition takes place in a public setting, rather than a more private one.

According to what Lively’s representative told TMZ, she is eagerly anticipating her scheduled deposition coming up next week, and they expect that it will proceed just like any other witness in this case.

Justin Baldoni’s attorney has consistently aimed to turn this private issue into a public spectacle, going so far as to suggest selling tickets for a televised deposition at Madison Square Garden. They emphasized that this is a grave matter of sexual harassment and retaliation, and it should be handled accordingly.

This week’s legal documents suggest a deposition for Lively (who has four kids with her husband Reynolds, aged 48) was scheduled for July 17, according to an email sent on July 2.

During the process of seeking a one-week extension, information was discovered through a subpoena issued by attorneys representing Lively, which led to the involvement of two publicists working for Baldoni, aged 41.

I, being an ardent follower, followed through by filing the motion, as documented by DailyMail.com.

The actress formerly known as Gossip Girl, who was recently removed from Baldoni’s $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit, is expected to testify when the trial starts in New York City in March 2026.

As a lifestyle expert, I can share an exclusive update: According to my trusted sources, a significant event is set to unfold in the vibrant cityscape of New York City – but the specific venue remains under wraps for now. Here’s what I’ve gathered: My insiders close to the ever-graceful Blake Lively have shared that she is gearing up to field some challenging questions, while Ryan Reynolds is unlikely to be present.

DailyMail.com reached out to reps for Lively and Baldoni for further comment at the time.

On June 11th, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, had a conversation with TMZ Live, a day following the dismissal of Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit by a New York City judge.

The attorney acknowledged that, although they weren’t satisfied with the judge’s decision to dismiss the defamation lawsuit, this isn’t the main focus of the case.

Later, he summarized the chain of incidents that ultimately resulted in the extensive legal dispute involving the unexpected box-office success of the summer blockbuster.

He mentioned that the initiative began after Blake Lively submitted a CRD complaint, followed by a lawsuit. This legal action implicated several honorable individuals in a defamation campaign and falsely accused an outstanding young man of sexual misconduct – both allegations being entirely false.

‘And that’s where the case got started’ and ‘where the case stands today.’

Freedman clarified that their victory aimed to demonstrate the absence of any defamatory or inappropriate conduct, specifically no smear campaign or sexual harassment. Interestingly enough, he pointed out that she hasn’t provided any evidence supporting her claims; instead, the situation seems to be suggesting quite the contrary.

Freedman shared with TMZ Live that the initial evidence presented in court seems very unfavorable for Lively and Reynolds.

The attorney stated, “Examine the evidence, observe the demonstration, scrutinize the bills, and review the footage.

Freedman mentioned to the media outlet that verifying the truthfulness of Lively’s assertions has consistently been the main priority for Baldoni’s team, not just seeking compensation.

He expressed his concern that Lively might not be dropping her lawsuit, as she seems to be embarking on a triumphant tour based on misinformation, and is apparently fearful of the truth being revealed.

Freedman mentioned that the truth will be revealed through depositions, which is what’s coming up next. He pointed out that her deposition, scheduled for June, will help us determine if she will attend or not. If she does appear, we’ll continue with the case and prove that there was no sexual harassment, as well as demonstrate that there was no smear campaign.

As a dedicated lifestyle connoisseur, I eagerly anticipate the wide-reaching impact of my upcoming deposition, given the immense fascination among the public about both the movie itself and the intriguing behind-the-scenes events that unfolded during its production.

Given that Ms. Lively is willing to testify, let’s ensure this moment is impactful. Let’s host the deposition at Madison Square Garden, either by selling tickets or streaming it online. Every penny raised should be donated to charities aiding victims of domestic abuse, he suggested.

On June 9th, the actress issued a strong declaration just hours following the dismissal of Baldoni’s case by a judge, which occurred on Monday.

Last week, I proudly joined forces with 19 other groups advocating for women’s right to express themselves safely. On Instagram, I expressed my sentiments, echoing the experiences shared by many – the painful ordeal of facing a lawsuit in retaliation, and the attempt to undermine us through manufactured feelings of shame.

As a native of Los Angeles, I shared my thoughts: ‘Though the lawsuit brought against me was dismissed, it’s a reality that not everyone has the means to defend themselves.’

As a steadfast advocate, I am more determined than ever before to persistently uphold the right of every woman to speak out and safeguard herself – encompassing her safety, honor, self-respect, and narrative.

Energetically, she expressed gratitude towards the public for their support during the challenging times of the last year.

Lively expressed her heartfelt appreciation and gratitude towards those who have been supportive, saying, ‘I’m well aware that many of you are familiar to me, but there are also many more whom I may not know. Regardless, I will always cherish and advocate for each one of you.’

The actress known for “The It Ends With Us,” who’s friendship with Taylor Swift was affected by a high-profile legal dispute, also shared a roster of organizations that openly backed her during this widely publicized Hollywood struggle.

Listed among them, in no particular order, were the California Employment Lawyers Association, the California Women’s Law Center, CHILD USA, the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, Equal Rights Advocates, Esperanza United, Her Justice, and Herunivercity Inc.

On Thursday, Lively criticized Baldoni, suggesting that he may be experiencing a shift in the case, as numerous women’s organizations have reportedly distanced themselves from him.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t contain my excitement when I share this fantastic news: Nineteen influential advocates, each championing women’s rights, children’s rights, and combating domestic violence, have joined forces by endorsing four distinct legal briefs. This remarkable move was confirmed to Daily Mail by a representative of the esteemed actress from Another Simple Favor.

The statement goes on to say: ‘Everyone stands together in resisting Justin Baldoni’s effort to undermine a law meant for the protection of women who voice out — it’s all about shielding himself.’

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: In the midst of an evolving legal situation, I find myself walking a fine line that seems to contradict my own advice I’ve shared publicly before. This could potentially invite more attention and scrutiny towards me.

Instead of upholding his case based on facts, Baldoni is now inconsistent with his long-standing public image – he’s deviating from the message he once advocated through his YouTube videos, podcasts, TED Talks, and interviews. In those forums, he used to encourage men to listen to the women in their lives, empathize with their pain, and believe them, even when what they say goes against you. This is according to Lively’s representative.

As a committed supporter, I’m raising awareness about the concerns these women and groups have voiced regarding his use of DARVO tactics. Their warnings suggest that these manipulative strategies could have far-reaching and potentially chilling consequences, extending well beyond this particular case.

After the dismissal of Baldoni’s lawsuit, Marvel Entertainment, LLC can undoubtedly feel a sense of relief.

In simpler terms, Baldoni summoned the studio to keep any records linked to the character Nicepool from Deadpool and Wolverine, as his lawyers argued that it was created to ridicule, harass, intimidate, or belittle Baldoni.

After dismissing Baldoni’s lawsuit, Liman consented to Marvel’s demand to “cancel the subpoena sent to Marvel by Baldoni’s Wayfarer Parties and to secure an order preventing the disclosure of Marvel’s confidential papers.

On January 7th, Baldoni’s team forwarded a letter asking for the preservation of certain documents to both Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, and Robert Iger, CEO of their parent company, The Walt Disney Company.

In a lawsuit, Lively alleges that Baldoni has committed sexual harassment; however, Baldoni countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane for defamation and extortion in a $400 million suit – the extortion charge was dismissed on Monday.

In response to the claims made by Lively, Baldoni has refuted them, whereas Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane have all denied the charges leveled against Baldoni in court.

In December, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment during the film’s production. According to the suit, Baldoni was accused of sexually harassing her in various ways, including making derogatory comments about her body, and planning a negative campaign against her to tarnish her reputation.

In a reaction to the lawsuit, Baldoni and his representatives assert that Lively manipulated the interpretation of text messages and deceived the public regarding the true nature of their communications during the production of the film.

In her legal action, Lively pointed out several individuals who work with Baldoni, such as his production company Wayfarer Studios, its chief executive officer and major investors, along with public relations representatives Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel.

Following the publication of a controversial article on December 21, entitled “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Uncovering a Hollywood Slander Apparatus,” I chose to take legal action against the newspaper, filing a defamation lawsuit seeking $250 million in compensation. However, the newspaper has refuted these accusations.

On January 16, Baldoni brought forward a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist Sloane, accusing them of defamation and extortion. Baldoni asserts in the court that this trio fabricated ‘allegations of sexual harassment’ against him, which are untrue.

In the movie adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, actress Blake Lively took on the character of florist Lily Bloom, while actor Jovani Baldoni embodied the role of Ryle Kincaid.

In the film based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 book, Blake Lively played the part of flower shop owner Lily Bloom and Jovani Baldoni portrayed the character of Ryle Kincaid.

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2025-07-12 08:05

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