Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni settled their “It Ends With Us” legal war, but the silence did not come with it. Reports say neither side signed an NDA as part of the settlement. That means both stars can still speak publicly about the dispute. For Lively, that may turn closure into a much messier second act.
Blake Lively Settlement Leaves No Muzzle
Lively and Baldoni reached a settlement in early May, avoiding a trial that had been set for later that month. Their legal teams released a joint statement saying they hoped all involved could move forward peacefully. Still, reports say no money changed hands in the settlement. Sources also said each side covered its own legal fees.
That detail matters because the public fight never received a courtroom ending. Judge Lewis Liman had already dismissed several claims before the settlement. Lively’s remaining retaliation claims were settled before a jury could hear them. Now, both sides are claiming different versions of victory.
Justin Baldoni Could Still Speak
The most explosive post-settlement detail is the reported lack of an NDA. The Times reported there were no financial exchanges or NDAs in the settlement. Other reports also said no gag order or NDA stops either side from discussing the case publicly. That keeps the microphone open, even after the court fight ended.
That possibility has fueled new speculation around Baldoni. If he chooses to speak, Lively cannot fully control the story. However, none of the post-settlement claims from unnamed sources should be treated as fact. They remain part of the same rumor cycle that has followed this case for months.
Legal Fight Is Not Fully Over
The settlement did not erase every legal question. Forbes reported that Lively is still seeking damages and fees under a California law tied to retaliation claims. People also reported that Wayfarer’s lawyers argued Lively received no portion of the $300 million she had sought. The judge has not resolved the remaining fee dispute.
That leaves the case in an awkward place. The headline lawsuit is settled, but the fallout still has loose ends. The public never got a trial. The parties never got one clean ruling on every claim. And the internet never got the dramatic witness stand moment it expected.
For Lively, the reputational stakes remain high. Her filings claimed major financial harm to her acting, producing and business income. Those numbers were claims in court documents, not independently proven losses. Still, they show how serious her team believed the fallout had become.
The strange ending may be the real story. A case built on reputation, publicity and control ended without full silence. Lively and Baldoni may have avoided trial, but they did not bury the narrative. In Hollywood, no NDA can be its own kind of cliffhanger.
