Justin Baldoni has spoken out about his legal battle with Blake Lively for the first time.
In a five-minute Instagram video recorded with his wife, Emily, Baldoni talked about the “injustice and pain” that he says the couple endured in the year-long legal battle with his It Ends With Us co-star.
“We have not spoken publicly for the better part of the last two years, and it’s not because we haven’t had anything to say, because Lord knows we have,” Baldoni. “But … it just didn’t feel like the right time.”
He added that the experience had taught the couple the importance of their friends, family and faith: “Gratitude has saved us.”
Baldoni and Lively’s year-and-a-half legal fight ended on 4 May when both parties agreed to settle Lively’s breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting in retaliation lawsuit. The settlement ensured that the suit did not go to trial.
Lively filed in late June for more than $8m in legal fees from Baldoni and his studio; Baldoni has until 13 July to either challenge her claim or pay the amount.
“We’ve had to wrestle with so many things and try to understand so many things,” said Emily Baldoni. “Like, how could something like this even happen? Let alone disguised as a fight for women.
“The truth is, reality is, is that there’s been a lot of trauma for us to move through as a family.”
Baldoni also offered thanks to his supporters for standing by his side during the legal fight. “There were so many of you who, when we didn’t have a voice, were our voice,” he said. “So many of you had discernment, and you used your intuition, and you trusted that.
“You have given your time to fight for us. And thank you does not feel like enough.”
Emily Baldoni indicated that the couple would continue to share their side of the story. “There is so much more to say,” she said. “That time will come, but for now, we are going to focus on continuing the healing and hanging out with our kiddos and enjoying life.”
The Guardian has reached out to Lively’s representative for comment.
