Blake Lively Fires Back In Deposition Against Justin Baldoni's Legal Team

We are getting all of Blake Lively. Newly-revealed bits of the Gossip Girl actress's July 31 testimony feature an explosive face-off with lawyer Justin Baldoni and cast a bright spotlight on her continuing legal woes. The nearly 300-page deposition released in part on August 11 pertains to Lively suing Baldoni, who directed It Ends With Us, for what she alleges was sexual harassment and a hostile work environment on set.

At some point in the back-and-forth, the lawyer pointed out a "smear campaign" that he claimed had been launched against Lively and asked her when it had ended. Lively shot back with complete clarity & determination, "It doesn't feel like it's ended." When we asked if the campaign had been launched, she replied flatly, "It feels that way, yes." Lively says he wasted no time assigning blame. Asked who she believed had been behind the alleged smear campaign, she pointed a finger directly at Baldoni and his staff. "Outside of what I know through attorneys, I believe that the defendants are involved," Lively said. "All of them. And I believe you are." It sets a combative tone with the actress and the lawyers representing those trying to collect information from her.

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In her lawsuit, multiple entities are named, not just Baldoni, but also Wayfarer Studios' chiefs, Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz, as well as publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis PR specialist Melissa Nathan. Lively's deposition statement implicates the entire inner circle, suggesting that this case could expand far beyond an ordinary celebrity lawsuit. Some legal analysts believe that Lively's aggressive approach during the deposition conveys a strong message that she is not afraid to thoroughly press her claims and push back against any attempts to discredit her.

The unmistakable nature of the actress's discussion with Baldoni's team is emblematic of her efforts towards openness and control over what happens in court. The July 31 deposition is a snapshot of the high-stress relationship between a Hollywood A-lister and an up-and-coming filmmaker as the case progresses through the court. Her open willingness to battle his legal team head-on shows the case is far from over, and she's not going away soon. This exchange reveals that Blake Lively has no problem standing up for herself, even with lawyers present and listening.