Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni Team of Evidence Destruction in Explosive ‘It Ends With Us’ Battle
Los Angeles, CA – October 22, 2025 – The already tumultuous legal battle between actress Blake Lively and actor/director Justin Baldoni has taken a dramatic turn, with Lively’s lawyers alleging a deliberate attempt to conceal evidence. Court documents reveal accusations that Baldoni and his team actively deleted messages and recordings potentially damaging to their defense, raising serious questions about digital evidence preservation in high-profile Hollywood disputes. This is a breaking news development with significant implications for the case and the industry as a whole.
Smear Campaign Allegations and the Use of Disappearing Messages
The dispute, stemming from Lively’s claims of a hostile work environment and harassment during the filming of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, ‘It Ends With Us,’ has escalated into a full-blown legal war. According to information published by Deadline, Lively’s legal team – comprised of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Willkie Farr & Gallagher – filed a motion for sanctions, accusing Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and several publicists of orchestrating a coordinated “smear campaign” against the actress.
Crucially, the complaint alleges the use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal, known for their auto-delete features, and self-deleting voice notes to hide communications related to the alleged campaign. Publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel are specifically named as participants who reportedly used these apps to coordinate negative social media posts about Lively during the film’s 2024 promotional period. Even after Lively filed a complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights, the alleged campaign continued, according to the filings.
“They Had Something to Hide”: A Damning Statement
The accusations are particularly damning, with Kristin Tahler, representing Stephanie Jones of Jonesworks PR, stating: “Jen Abel conspired with Melissa Nathan, Justin Baldoni, and Wayfarer to orchestrate a smear campaign, and she did so secretly, outside of Joneworks and behind Stephanie Jones. Conversations were moved to a self-delete platform and evidence was destroyed. There can only be one reason for this: They had something to hide and they wanted to make sure it was never found out.”
Seeking an ‘Adverse Inference’ – What Does This Mean?
Lively’s legal team is now requesting that Judge Lewis J. Liman apply an “adverse inference.” This legal maneuver would allow the court to assume that the deleted messages contained information detrimental to Baldoni and his associates. Essentially, the judge could rule that because evidence was destroyed, it must have been unfavorable to the defendants. This could significantly strengthen Lively’s claims of retaliation and defamation.
The Origins of the Conflict: From On-Set Tension to Legal Warfare
The initial spark for this legal battle ignited in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment, inappropriate conduct, and retaliation by Baldoni during the production of ‘It Ends With Us.’ She detailed a hostile work environment, unauthorized access to her trailer, and improvised intimate scenes that deviated from the original script.
Baldoni responded with a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging defamation, extortion, and invasion of privacy. However, Judge Liman largely dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit in June 2025, leaving only minor contractual interference claims intact. The main trial, scheduled for March 2026 in New York, will focus on Lively’s original allegations.
The Growing Importance of Digital Evidence in Hollywood Legal Battles
This case highlights a growing concern in the entertainment industry: the preservation of digital evidence. With communication increasingly taking place through ephemeral messaging apps, ensuring evidence is properly retained for legal proceedings is becoming paramount. Legal experts are increasingly advising clients to implement robust data preservation policies, including regular archiving of communications and the avoidance of self-deleting apps for sensitive discussions. The stakes are high, as demonstrated by the potential sanctions and the possibility of an adverse inference being applied in the Lively-Baldoni case.
The implications extend beyond this specific dispute. Studios, agencies, and public figures must now carefully consider their digital communication practices and the potential legal ramifications of using disappearing message apps. This case could set a precedent for future litigation, forcing a reevaluation of digital liability in Hollywood and beyond.
As the trial approaches, the controversy surrounding ‘It Ends With Us’ continues to intensify. The allegations of evidence tampering have added a new layer of complexity to an already explosive case, promising further revelations and potentially reshaping the landscape of legal battles in the entertainment industry. Stay tuned to archyde.com for the latest updates on this developing story and insightful analysis of the evolving world of digital evidence and Hollywood legal disputes.
