Blake Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, has formally requested to be removed from Justin Baldoni’s amended lawsuit, according to legal documents obtained by Fox News Digital. 

The motion, filed on Thursday, contends that Sloane and her public relations firm, Vision PR, Inc., 

were unfairly implicated in Baldoni’s legal battle as a means of diverting attention from the serious allegations against him.

Sloane argues that Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Productions, are attempting to use her and her firm as scapegoats in what she described 

as a “smoke and mirrors exercise” to distract from allegations of sexual harassment and systematic retaliation brought against him.

The Hallmark actor initially filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit in January, which included Sloane and Vision PR, Inc. as defendants. 

This legal action came just weeks after Lively, 37, filed her own lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of their film, It Ends With Us.

Legal Battle Intensifies

According to Sloane’s legal filing, she and her PR firm have no connection to the claims Baldoni is making. She argues that the allegations against her are baseless and that the lawsuit should be dismissed with prejudice, preventing it from being refiled. Additionally, she is seeking reimbursement for legal fees under New York’s anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to protect individuals from frivolous lawsuits intended to suppress free speech.

“Because the Amended Complaint’s scattershot allegations fail to adequately plead claims for civil extortion, defamation, and false light, Ms. Sloane and Vision PR, Inc. respectfully request that the Court dismiss the Amended Complaint with prejudice,” the motion states.

Sloane further accuses Baldoni of misrepresenting the core issues of the case by attempting to reframe the allegations as a mere disagreement over creative control. She contends that Baldoni’s claims of her involvement in any wrongdoing are legally unfounded and serve only to undermine the gravity of the accusations made against him.

Creative Disputes and Legal Accusations

The motion also highlights what Sloane describes as Baldoni’s “sexist” portrayal of Lively’s involvement in the film’s production. Lively, who served as an executive producer on It Ends With Us, was actively involved in discussions surrounding the film’s script, wardrobe, and overall creative direction. Sloane’s filing argues that Baldoni’s characterization of Lively as “tyrannical” and “aggressive” is a gendered attack on her for asserting her role in the project.

“The Wayfarer Parties accuse Ms. Sloane and Vision PR, Inc. of extortion but do not (and cannot) identify where or how the alleged extortion occurred, or how Ms. Sloane or Vision PR, Inc. received anything of value because of that extortion,” the filing states. Additionally, the defamation claims lack specific details on which statements were allegedly defamatory.

Ongoing Legal Disputes

The lawsuit is part of an ongoing legal feud between Lively and Baldoni that began in late 2023. Lively first filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20, accusing Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath of sexual harassment, retaliation, and emotional distress. Shortly thereafter, on December 31, she took her case to federal court.

In response, Baldoni not only filed his defamation lawsuit but also initiated a $250 million suit against The New York Times, accusing the publication of defaming him in an article that detailed his alleged attempt to smear Lively’s reputation.

More Legal Actions

The legal battle escalated further when Baldoni filed another lawsuit, this time for $400 million, against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. In that suit, he alleged that the couple had attempted to manipulate the narrative surrounding It Ends With Us and take control of the film’s direction.

As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, representatives for both Sloane and Baldoni have not issued any public statements regarding the latest motion. However, the dismissal request marks a significant development in the case, potentially altering the trajectory of Baldoni’s lawsuit.

With multiple lawsuits, counterclaims, and legal maneuvers in play, the dispute between Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and their respective teams shows no sign of resolution anytime soon. Sloane’s motion to be dismissed from the case reflects the broader complexities of the legal entanglements that have stemmed from the It Ends With Us controversy. As the case progresses, the entertainment industry continues to watch closely, awaiting the next legal twist in this high-profile feud.

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