The drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni continues, with the actress getting disappointing news. After her lawyers sent a subpoena earlier this month for Baldoni's phone records from December 1, 2022, to the present, seeking more evidence that he launched a smear campaign against her, a judge has reportedly blocked her efforts.
According to DailyMail, on Friday, a New York judge agreed with Baldoni's team that her request was 'overly intrusive and disproportionate.' Lively's team was hoping to get their mittens on more than two years' worth of texts and call data.
The itemized demands included 'call logs, text logs, data logs, and cell site location information.' But federal Judge Lewis Liman said the vast amount of data could include communications with nonparties or sensitive information related to doctors and psychologists.
He also questioned why the actress needed texts dating back more than two years, noting that her complaint stated the negative media campaign didn’t begin until August 2024. He reportedly told her to revise her subpoenas but didn’t dismiss them entirely.
Baldoni's lawyers tried to block her from seeking similar materials from third parties. But Liman rejected the argument, stating they had no basis to claim a privacy interest in non-parties' communications.
Blake hires a CIA vet
As the chaos continues, news also broke that the 37-year-old has hired Nick Shapiro, the CIA’s former deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to former director John Brennan to be her PR crisis manager and help with legal strategy, per Variety and Page Six.
“The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York,” Lively’s legal team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher told Page Six.
As noted by Page Six, Shapiro worked in the White House as a Senior Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Aide on the National Security Council and served as President Obama’s National Security Spokesperson. With over 15 years of experience in crisis management, national security, and strategic communications, his background is highlighted on the website of his charity, All Hands and Hearts.
Her new hire comes after data shows that the case has affected her in the court of public opinion. Lively has lost 864,085 followers since September, while Baldoni has gained 230,896, according to data from QR Code Generator, per DailyMail.
He is sure to be a major player if the case goes to trial on its scheduled date of March 9, 2026. With each side rejecting settlement deals, it could be the biggest celebrity trial since Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.