Not a celebrity drama: Blake Lively says amid court battle, vows to fight back

Blake Lively remains firm in her fight against "digital violence" despite a court dismissing most of her sexual harassment claims. She said online abuse and retaliation are widespread, and added that she is ready to tell her story in court next month.

Blake Lively has vowed to continue her fight against what she calls "digital violence," following a judge’s dismissal of most of her claims against co-star Justin Baldoni. The actor’s sexual harassment allegations were largely rejected, but some key claims will proceed to trial next month.

In an Instagram statement shared on April 4, Lively said she looks forward to telling her story in court. "The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others (sic)," she wrote.

Read the statement here:

Lively has alleged sexual harassment during the production of their project and claimed that Baldoni and his publicists launched a digital smear campaign to damage her reputation after she raised concerns. However, on Thursday, Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 claims, including sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy.

The judge allowed three claims to move forward to trial: retaliation, aiding and abetting in retaliation, and breach of contract. Liman ruled that Lively could not bring a sexual harassment claim under federal law because she was an independent contractor, not an employee. Additionally, California harassment laws did not apply since the production was in New Jersey.

Lively urged her supporters not to dismiss the case as "celebrity drama," stating that this framing is meant to prevent people from recognising themselves in her story. "The physical pain from digital violence is very real," she said. "It is abuse. And it’s everywhere. Not just in the news, but in your communities and schools." She emphasised that retaliation and digital attacks affect many, not just public figures.