Justin Baldoni boldly attended Blake Lively’s deposition in person at her attorney’s office in New York City on Thursday, July 31. While he wasn’t required to be there, his appearance could potentially work in his advantage.
Blake was questioned under oath by Baldoni’s lawyers about her claims of sexual harassment and retaliation during the production of their 2024 movie, It Ends With Us—accusations the Jane the Virgin star has vehemently denied.
So, how could his presence help Baldoni himself?
Can Justin Baldoni Benefit from Attending Blake Lively’s Deposition?
Baldoni’s appearance at Lively’s deposition wasn’t just a simple procedural right. According to legal analyst Misty Maris (via Access Hollywood), it was a deliberate strategic move.
“When that person is actually sitting in the room, it becomes much harder to twist the truth or to fabricate because you’re eye to eye with the person that you’re speaking about,” she said.
The two haven’t been seen near each other for quite some time—including at the film’s premiere, where Baldoni claims he was “banished to the basement.”
A February report by The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Sony informed Baldoni he was not allowed to attend the premiere at all, per the request of Lively and her team. A settlement was later negotiated, with Baldoni ultimately walking the red carpet alone.
“So to think of them sitting across a table during a deposition that could certainly be very intimidating and anxiety-causing for Blake Lively,” Maris continued.
In addition to 160 pages of timelines, text messages, and emails said to be relevant to the case, Baldoni was also reportedly present as hours of video footage were shown to Lively, with questions aimed at identifying when and where the alleged harassment occurred.
“Blake Lively was likely put through the ringer in preparation of this deposition,” she added.
What Happened at Blake Lively’s Deposition?
TMZ reported that Baldoni was present during Lively’s deposition, alongside their attorneys, a court reporter, and a videographer—making it a relatively private affair.
According to the outlet, Lively was allegedly staring directly at Baldoni when the deposition began.
The legal interview had been a long time coming, with both parties even disputing the timing and format.
Baldoni’s lawyers reportedly suggested live streaming the deposition from Madison Square Garden, a proposal Lively’s team rejected as inappropriate.
In her sexual harassment claim, Lively alleged that her former co-star openly discussed his sex life, made comments about her body, and added intimate scenes to their film without consent.
Baldoni denied the allegations and responded by suing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation—a lawsuit that was ultimately dismissed in June.
The 41-year-old actor-director’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, confirmed that his client had no intention of refiling the case. Instead, they plan to focus on challenging and disproving Lively’s claims.
Baldoni’s decision to attend the deposition just shows how much he is willing to face this highly publicized legal battle and Lively herself.
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