Justin Baldoni is navigating the “financial and emotional weight” of his legal battle with Blake Lively by focusing on “his family and faith.”
As the legal fiasco between the “It Ends With Us” director and Lively continues, the lawsuits are “causing stress” for him and his wife.
“The lawsuit drama is causing stress for both of them, but their marriage is solid and they are actually closer than ever,” a family friend told People adding that the couple is “leaning on a tight circle of loyal friends.”
The legal drama all started when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December of 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment while she was on set of “It Ends With Us,” which Baldoni directed and co-starred in.
Lively also claimed Baldoni spearheaded a smear campaign to “destroy” her reputation, resulting in “severe emotional distress.” The “Jane the Virgin” star then countersued with a $400 million suit in January, adding Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane. He accused the couple of civil extortion, defamation and more.
With both cases scheduled for March of 2026, the finish line “still feels very far away,” the source adds. “He’s certainly feeling the financial and emotional weight of his legal fight.”
In the meantime, Baldoni is “spending time with his wife, family and close friends as much as ever,” another friend of Baldoni’s told People.
Meanwhile, Lively has been seen with Reynolds publicly several times since the saga began including at Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special taping and at the TIME100 gala in April.
Despite the back and forth between the duo, Baldoni’s family friend says the director still “believes things will work out for the best.”