Justin Baldoni
Justin Baldoni has spoken publicly for the first time in nearly two years, revealing the emotional toll the legal battle with Blake Lively has taken on his family as they focus on healing and moving forward. Justin Baldoni/Instagram

For the first time in nearly two years, Justin Baldoni has publicly reflected on the emotional toll of his high-profile legal dispute with Blake Lively, revealing that the prolonged battle left his family carrying a lot of trauma as they now focus on healing.

The actor and director, best known for directing and starring in It Ends with Us, shared an emotional video on Instagram alongside his wife, Emily Baldoni, explaining why they had remained silent throughout one of Hollywood's most closely watched legal disputes. Rather than revisiting every allegation or court filing, the couple chose to speak candidly about the personal impact the ordeal has had on their lives.

Justin Baldoni Explains His Two-Year Silence

Addressing supporters directly, Baldoni admitted that he and Emily had wanted to speak publicly on several occasions but never felt the timing was right.

According to the actor, every attempt to address the controversy felt premature, and instead they chose to allow the legal process to unfold without adding further public commentary. He explained that although they had 'a lot to say', they repeatedly decided against speaking because they believed remaining silent was the better course of action.

Now, with significant parts of the legal proceedings behind them, Baldoni said he finally felt able to express gratitude to those who had supported his family throughout the difficult period.

Rather than focusing on legal arguments, his message centred on resilience, faith and appreciation for friends, family and supporters who continued to stand by them during months of intense public scrutiny.

Emily Baldoni Reveals the Family's Emotional Struggle

While Justin expressed gratitude, Emily Baldoni acknowledged that there was still so much to unpack following the legal dispute.

She explained that although thankfulness had helped the family move forward, it did not erase what she described as the injustice and pain they had experienced over the past two years.

Emily also questioned how events had unfolded in such a public and divisive manner, saying the experience had forced the family to wrestle with difficult emotions while trying to understand everything that had happened.

Perhaps the most emotional moment came when she admitted that the family was still processing significant trauma.

Justin echoed those sentiments, saying there had been 'so many painful things' spoken publicly during the legal battle. According to him, much of the public conversation created unnecessary noise, which is why they deliberately chose not to respond while court proceedings continued.

The Legal Dispute Is Not Entirely Over

The comments follow months of legal developments surrounding the dispute between Baldoni and Lively, who starred together in the 2024 adaptation of It Ends with Us.

Earlier this year, both parties announced that they had reached a settlement in one aspect of the legal proceedings. However, the terms of that agreement were not publicly disclosed.

Despite that development, the wider legal matter has not been fully resolved.

Earlier in the proceedings, several of Lively's civil claims were dismissed by the court, while a small number of claims — including retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation and breach of contract — remained eligible to proceed. Throughout the dispute, Baldoni has consistently denied the allegations made against him and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.

Meanwhile, Lively has continued pursuing reimbursement of her legal expenses, with her legal team requesting approximately $8 million (£6 million) in legal fees and litigation costs, arguing that the work undertaken during the case was both necessary and extensive.

Representatives for Lively had not publicly responded to Baldoni's latest video at the time of writing.

A message focused on healing rather than conflict

One of the most striking aspects of Baldoni's statement was its tone.

Rather than criticising Lively or revisiting courtroom arguments, the actor repeatedly returned to themes of healing, gratitude and moving forward. He thanked supporters who had trusted their instincts throughout the controversy and credited them with helping his family endure what he described as an incredibly challenging period.

Speaking alongside Emily, he acknowledged that the emotional scars from the legal battle would not disappear overnight but suggested that the family is now entering a new chapter focused on recovery rather than litigation.

The couple also avoided discussing many of the specific legal details, making it clear they did not want to reignite public debate or contribute further to the intense media attention surrounding the case.

What comes next for Justin Baldoni?

Although aspects of the legal proceedings continue, Baldoni's first public comments suggest he is attempting to move beyond the controversy and refocus on his family and future.

For fans who have followed every development in the Blake Lively lawsuit, the video marked a significant turning point—not because it revealed new legal information, but because it offered a rare glimpse into the emotional consequences of a dispute that has dominated headlines for months.

Whether the remaining legal matters are resolved through further court proceedings or additional agreements remains to be seen. However, Baldoni's message made one thing clear: after nearly two years of silence, his priority is no longer the courtroom but the wellbeing of his family.

As the legal process continues, both Baldoni and Lively remain under public scrutiny. Yet his latest statement signals a shift away from confrontation and towards healing, offering a more personal perspective on the lasting impact that prolonged legal battles can have beyond the headlines.