JUSTIN BALDONI AND WIFE BREAK SILENCE ON BLAKE LIVELY DISPUTE

Justin Baldoni and his wife Emily have released a video statement addressing their legal dispute with Blake Lively, describing the matter as "traumatic" for their family. The couple accused Lively of making "untruthful" claims that caused them "pain" over the past two years. Baldoni stated that they had refrained from speaking publicly until now, saying it "didn't feel like the right time" previously. Emily said the moment now "feels like the moment" to address the situation.

The dispute stemmed from accusations of sexual harassment and an alleged subsequent smear campaign during production of the film It Ends with Us, which starred both Baldoni and Lively. Last month, the two parties reached a settlement in their legal battle. According to the settlement terms, Baldoni was ordered to pay £5.9 million towards Lively's legal fees from his defamation countersuit. In the video statement, Emily characterised Lively's lawsuit as "a disguise as a fight for women", whilst Baldoni expressed gratitude towards those who supported him through the dispute.

Baldoni acknowledged uncertainty about whether speaking out was the correct course of action but stated the couple felt compelled to share their account. Emily said the family continued to process "a lot of trauma" connected to the situation and remained trying to "understand how something like this could even happen". The couple indicated that further details remained unaddressed, with Baldoni suggesting "there is so much more to say" on the matter.