Adam Mondschein has revealed how Justin Baldoni feels about his out-of-court settlement.
Justin Baldoni has felt a “bittersweetness” since settling his legal dispute with Blake Lively.
The 42-year-old star and Blake, 38, recently reached an out-of-court settlement in their long-running legal dispute, two weeks before both parties were set to go to trial in New York, but Adam Mondschein, Justin’s long-time friend, has revealed how he’s currently feeling.
Adam told Us Weekly: “It’s the bittersweetness of having this part of it let go, which is why I think they accepted the settlement. It’s a conflicted time. It feels like that, but the game’s not over.”
The legal dispute began in December 2024, when Blake accused Justin – her It Ends With Us co-star and director – of sexual harassment and co-ordinating a smear campaign against her.
Justin – who played Blake’s on-screen love interest in the movie – and his Wayfarer Studios production company subsequently countersued the actress and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing the Hollywood couple of defamation and extortion.
However, Justin and Blake recently announced that they’d reached an out-of-court settlement.
Their lawyers – Bryan Freedman, Ellyn Garofalo, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson – said via a joint statement: “The end product – the movie It Ends With Us – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind.
“We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognise concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard.
“We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”
Meanwhile, Blake’s lawyers subsequently claimed that the settlement was a “resounding victory for” the actress.
Blake’s lawyers told NBC News: “By agreeing to this settlement, and waiving their right to appeal, Justin Baldoni and every individual defendant now face personal liability for abusing the legal system to silence and intimidate Ms. Lively. And by admitting that Ms. Lively’s concerns ‘deserved to be heard,’ the defendants have ended once and for all the fiction that Ms. Lively ‘fabricated’ claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.”
Justin Baldoni feels ‘bittersweetness’ after Blake Lively settlement
