Blake Lively has finally ended her feud with Justin Baldonibut it came at a cost. As the duo settled their differences, Lively took a significant hit to her $8 million fee demands.
According to a report from Varietythe judge ordered Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to pay approximately $400,000 to the 39-year-old actress to cover expenses from the 18-month legal battle. The awarded figure falls significantly short of Lively’s initial demand. During the proceedings, the It Ends With Us star requested $7.5 million in attorneys’ fees alongside $540,000 in additional court costs.
However, Judge Lewis Liman rejected the full $8 million demand. Instead, he granted $363,245 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206 in court costs. Explaining his ruling, Judge Liman pointed out that under applicable California law, reimbursement applied only to fees spent defending against Baldoni’s defamation suit, adding that “the number of hours for which Lively seeks reimbursement is unreasonable.”
Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni settled their 18-month legal war before trial
The high-profile battle between the two It Ends With Us co-stars was formally settled in May 2026, allowing both parties to avoid a scheduled federal trial.
The dispute originated in December 2024, when the Gossip Girl actor filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios launched an aggressive online smear campaign against her. Lively asserted that the campaign was retaliatory following sexual harassment complaints she raised on the film’s set.
Following the incident, Baldoni also registered a defamation suit against the actress. He also accused both Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of orchestrating baseless and fake allegations. The 42-year-old actor further stated that this was done so that the creative control of the movie remains solely with Reynolds and Lively. Following their settlement in May, the only loose end that remained was Lively’s $8 million fee demand, which was resolved this Wednesday.