Justin Baldoni’s company ordered to pay New York…
Justin Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, has suffered another legal setback after a New York court ordered it to pay more than $171,000 in legal fees to The New York Times. The ruling comes after the studio’s defamation lawsuit against the newspaper was dismissed, marking the latest chapter in the long-running legal battle connected to the It Ends With Us controversy.
According to court documents, Justice Gerald Lebovits ordered Wayfarer Studios to pay $171,616.20 to cover a large portion of the newspaper’s attorney fees. The award stems from New York’s anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to protect journalists and media organizations from lawsuits that attempt to silence reporting on matters of public interest.
The dispute began after The New York Times published a December 2024 investigative report examining allegations made by actress Blake Lively regarding the production of It Ends With Us. The article detailed claims of sexual harassment and workplace retaliation and included allegations that a public relations campaign had been used to damage Lively’s reputation after she raised concerns.
In response, Wayfarer Studios filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the newspaper, arguing that the report relied on misleading information and unfairly portrayed Baldoni and the company. However, the case was dismissed in 2025 after a judge concluded that The New York Times had acted within the protections afforded to journalists reporting on issues of public concern. The court also found that Wayfarer had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its defamation claims.
After winning the case, The New York Times sought reimbursement for the legal costs it incurred while defending itself. Although the newspaper initially requested more than $181,000 in attorney fees, the judge approved a slightly lower amount of $171,616.20. The court also rejected Wayfarer Studios’ request to delay the payment while pursuing an appeal, noting that a previous settlement had effectively waived that option.
The latest ruling adds to a difficult period for Baldoni and his production company, which have been involved in several high-profile legal disputes connected to It Ends With Us. While many of those matters have now been resolved or settled, the financial consequences continue to unfold.
Neither Justin Baldoni nor Wayfarer Studios had publicly commented on the latest order at the time of publication. Meanwhile, The New York Times welcomed the outcome, maintaining that its reporting was accurate, responsibly sourced and protected under the law.
