What you need to know
Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni of defamation, calling him a “crazy pig” in a text message to Seraph of the End author Colleen Huber, according to newly released court records.
The message was made public on Tuesday, January 20, ahead of a summary judgment hearing scheduled for January 22 in Lively’s ongoing lawsuit against Mr. Baldoni, 41, and Wayfarer Studios.
In a July 11, 2024 text exchange included in the filing, Ms. Lively, 38, detailed her dissatisfaction with Mr. Baldoni’s purported conduct.
“…despite his repeated disturbing actions and actions, I still feel sorry for him,” Lively wrote at the time. “To be reminded multiple times every day that he’s defaming me… because I’m asking him not to sexually or emotionally harass me? To make his movie better? Because he’s asking for all the help he can get to bring in all the big-name musicians and entertainers to help make his movie better? Because he’s leading a marketing campaign for free?”
“Literally, I have never done anything that he would defame. Ryan said he should write me a letter of apology and appreciation every day. And instead he chose to rid me of the monster…but what is my sin? All I have ever done is stay focused on the job and give him every opportunity to improve it. And he continues to act like a crazy pig.”
Taylor Hill/Film Magic. Alaya Doheny/Variety, via Getty
Mr. Hoover responded by expressing support for Mr. Lively and criticizing Mr. Baldoni’s actions.
“That’s true. As women and mothers, I think we’re taught to give grace until there’s nothing left. But in times like these, it’s good to be reminded that grace is great until you compromise your integrity,” Huber wrote. “I start to feel bad sometimes, too, but I can guarantee you he doesn’t feel an ounce of guilt. He’s too busy playing the victim while you work hard to make a better movie that you can take credit for.”
The text messages are among the evidence revealed in Lively’s lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation related to her experience working on the film.
Baldoni denied the allegations, saying there was no smear campaign and that the negative attention directed at Lively online was spontaneous. His lawyer, Brian Friedman, told TMZ in June 2025 that Baldoni “wants to be acquitted and that’s all he cares about.” He added at the time: “He is waiting for his day to tell the truth in court.”
Ms. Lively’s attorney, Sigrid McCauley, said in a Jan. 20 statement about the newly unsealed evidence that it includes “testimony, messages, and evidence from numerous witnesses that support the claims of Ms. Lively’s lawsuit.”
“As we head to trial, only Ms. Lively’s claims against the defendants remain,” McCauley said, noting that the court dismissed Wayfarer Studios’ retaliatory counterclaim last June. She added that the evidence includes Lively’s own testimony and accounts from multiple women describing what McCauley characterized as “disturbing experiences,” as well as documents showing that concerns were raised internally in the spring of 2023.
A judge will decide whether some or all of Lively’s claims will proceed to trial, which is currently scheduled for May 2026.
