Justin Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, has been ordered to pay $171,616.20 to The New York Times after a New York judge ruled in favor of the newspaper in a legal dispute stemming from a failed defamation lawsuit. The decision marks the latest development in the long-running legal battle connected to the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
Wayfarer Studios had filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times following the publication of a December 2024 investigative report that detailed allegations made by actress Blake Lively concerning sexual harassment, workplace retaliation, and an alleged smear campaign linked to the film’s production. Baldoni has denied the allegations throughout the legal proceedings.
The lawsuit against the newspaper was dismissed in 2025 after the court concluded that the reporting addressed matters of public interest and was protected under applicable legal standards. Following that dismissal, The New York Times sought reimbursement for its legal fees under New York’s anti-SLAPP law, which is intended to discourage lawsuits that could limit free speech or press freedom.
In the latest ruling, Justice Gerald Lebovits awarded the newspaper $171,616.20 in damages, slightly less than the amount originally requested. The judge also rejected Wayfarer Studios’ request to delay the proceedings while pursuing an appeal. According to multiple reports, neither Baldoni nor Wayfarer Studios had publicly commented on the ruling at the time of publication.
The decision represents another significant legal setback for Wayfarer Studios following months of litigation surrounding It Ends With Us. Legal experts say the ruling underscores the protections available to news organizations under anti-SLAPP laws when reporting on issues considered to be in the public interest.