Justin Baldoni hit with major setback amid legal battle with Blake Lively
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By SARAH SOTOODEH and SONIA HORON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Justin Baldoni‘s Wayfarer Foundation is shutting down – amid his legal war with former It Ends with Us co-star Blake Lively.
The foundation announced the news via their Instagram page, and declined to give a reason as to why.
Justin co-founded the Baha’i centered foundation with his Wayfarer Studios partner Steve Sarowitz with a goal of helping lead people spiritually to a more peaceful world.
The shuttering of the foundation comes after Blake accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her during filming of It Ends With Us and her claims that he waged a negative publicity campaign against her.
The legal battle between him and Blake has intensified, with Blake being subpoenaed by his team.
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Justin Baldoni ‘s Wayfarer Foundation is shutting down – amid his legal war with former It Ends with Us co-star Blake Lively
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In the post – which was shared on Friday, Steve penned a statement titled ‘foundation update.’
He wrote: ‘Over the past four years Wayfarer Foundation has supported dozens of grantee partners in fulfilling their missions. I am so incredibly proud of the impact this organization has made and deeply grateful for our staff, board, donors and partners.’
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Adding: ‘Upon unanimous decision of the board of directors, today we will begin the process of sunsetting the Foundation. We will honor all of our current grant commitments as we carefully wind down operations over the next several weeks.’
‘Although the Wayfarer Foundation is closing, my personal commitment to giving remains strong, and I’m dedicated to making an impact on society through he ongoing mission and work.’
‘We understand that this news may come as a surprise, and we will be actively working over the next several weeks to ensure all matters are concluded with care and attention. With gratitude, Steve Sarowitz. Founder, Wayfarer Foundation.’
The foundation was launched in 2021 with the mission to ‘advance humankind spiritually towards a future peaceful world civilization.’
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The foundation announced the news via their Instagram page, and declined to give a reason as to why
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The shuttering of the foundation comes after Blake accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her during filming of It Ends With; seen May 1 arriving to Late Night With Seth Meyers
On Thursday, Blake appeared on Seth Meyer’s Late Night, her first talk show since her legal dispute with Justin began in December.
After Meyers alluded to her conflict with her It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin — whom she’s accused of sexual harassment — he added, ‘I imagine you’re in a situation where you can’t say anything.’
Blake replied, ‘What I can say without going too into it is that this year has been the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in my life and I see so many women around afraid to speak, especially right now, afraid to share their experiences, and fear is by design.’
‘It’s what keeps us silent. But I also acknowledge that many people don’t have the opportunity to speak.’
‘So I do feel fortunate that I’ve been able to and as a woman, you have the ability to use your voice – that’s kept me strong and helped me in my belief and my fight for the world to be safer for women and girls. It’s a pretty simple thing.’
She and Baldoni are set to head to court in March 2026.
Many fans focused on the fact that she was not wearing her wedding ring during her appearance. Instead, Blake wore a big cocktail ring on the middle finger of her left hand.
The fashionista doesn’t always opt to wear her wedding ring for events, and frequently chooses statement costume jewelry.
While on the show Lively said that her four kids, whom she shares with husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, have been her ‘lifeline’ during her ‘intense’ year.
The pair, who’ve been married since 2012, share daughters James, 10, Inez, eight, Betty, five, and son Olin, two.
Speaking of her kids — who Blake previously claimed were ‘traumatized’ by the Baldoni drama — the star said: ‘It’s no surprise it’s been a pretty intense year and they’re just my lifeline.’
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On Thursday, Blake appeared on Seth Meyer’s Late Night, her first talk show cince her legal dispute with Justin began in December
‘No matter what day I am having, I have to be Disneyland for them. It’s the best, it’s chaos.’
Her late show appearance comes after Lively’s legal woes have taken a turn for the worse, as she has now been subpoenaed by Baldoni’s team.
DailyMail.com has learned the papers were handed to her lawyers last week and asks for all communications – including texts and emails – related to Baldoni and the film that sparked the feud, It Ends With Us.
Lively has accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her during filming and claims he waged a negative publicity campaign against her.
He subsequently hit back and sued the actress and her husband Ryan for $400million, saying her allegations were defamatory and false, and accusing her of attempting to hijack the project.
The legal battle has already seen some zingers aired in court, among them Baldoni’s claim that she tried to threaten him with Reynolds and erstwhile best friend Taylor Swift – referring to the superstars as ‘my dragons’ and comparing herself to Game of Thrones character Khaleesi.
Lively has also been accused of failing to read the novel on which the movie is based until well after filming started and forcing Baldoni and his family to sit in the basement during the premiere.
On top of that, some of her allegations have begun to look dubious such as the claim that Baldoni had nuzzled her neck and told her ‘you smell so good’ during a dancing scene.
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The film at the heart of the feud, based on the 2016 bestseller by Colleen Hoover, was released in August and was a box office hit
Although the mom-of-four claimed it had been filmed with microphones off, DailyMail.com obtained raw footage that showed the sound was on and that the conversation had instead been about the scent of Lively’s fake tan.
Attention has now turned to who else could be subpoenaed in the case, with Reynolds odds-on to have his communications scrutinized by Baldoni’s team.
Last week, speculation arose around Swift and Reynolds’ friend Hugh Jackman with reports saying that they too are facing a legal grilling.
Superstar singer Swift is reportedly furious over being dragged into the case and has not been photographed with Lively for months.
Last month, her boyfriend Travis Kelce unfollowed Reynolds in yet another sign that relations between the two couples have cooled.
