Details regarding a conversation between actor Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively have surfaced in court documents, revealing that Baldoni confirmed he told Lively he is circumcised. This acknowledgment came during a deposition held in October 2023, as part of ongoing legal proceedings related to Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni. The case is set to proceed to trial in March 2026.
The conversation reportedly took place in December 2022 at Lively’s New York City apartment while she was pregnant with her son, Olin. According to filings obtained by PEOPLE, Baldoni described the atmosphere as chaotic, with Ryan Reynolds, nannies, assistants, and household staff moving in and out during their discussion.
During the deposition, Lively’s attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, questioned Baldoni about the nature of their exchange regarding circumcision. Gottlieb asked, “Did you at any point share with Ms. Lively whether you were circumcised?” Baldoni responded affirmatively, stating, “Yes.” However, when pressed about whether Lively had directly asked him the question, Baldoni clarified, “Directly, no.”
The deposition revealed more about the context of the conversation. Baldoni recounted, “There were people going all around. Mr. [Ryan] Reynolds was in and out of the conversation. She had, I think, two nannies. I felt like there was a housekeeper there. Her assistant was walking around. I think she had two assistants there. Her and I were sitting on the couch, but there were people all around.”
In Lively’s amended complaint filed in January 2024, she expanded on earlier allegations, claiming that Baldoni made her and other women “uncomfortable” during filming. Lively expressed her discomfort particularly regarding Baldoni’s comments about his own genitalia.
As the legal battle unfolds, Lively’s legal team is presenting arguments for why her case against Baldoni should go to trial. Baldoni’s lawyers have filed a motion for summary judgment, requesting that Judge Lewis J. Liman dismiss Lively’s lawsuit, thereby avoiding the upcoming trial.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, stated in June that Baldoni is eager for a resolution. “He wants to be vindicated, and that’s all that he cares about,” Freedman said. “He knows who he is. He knows what he’s done; he knows what he hasn’t done. And he wants the truth to come out, and he wants to do that in the appropriate way.”
As both sides prepare for the trial, the implications of their discussions and the surrounding circumstances continue to attract public interest. The outcome will likely hinge on the interpretation of consent and comfort in professional settings, particularly in the entertainment industry.
