Actress Blake Lively has initiated a claim for $161 million in damages against actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni, alleging a targeted smear campaign linked to their ongoing legal dispute concerning the "It Ends With Us" project. This substantial claim by Lively's legal team underscores significant financial losses and reputational harm she states she has incurred.

JKN Global News Desk reports that Blake Lively's legal team is seeking $161 million in damages, contending that an alleged smear campaign related to the "It Ends With Us" project has caused her substantial financial and professional detriment. Lively specifically claims that the "mean girl" label, a direct result of the alleged campaign, cost her an estimated $40 million. Furthermore, she asserts $34 million in damages due to reputational harm stemming from the dispute.

The legal battle extends beyond Lively's claims. Her lawyers are actively countering an alleged $400 million lawsuit reportedly filed by Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer, demanding they provide proof for their assertions. Experts familiar with the case indicate that the legal battle has already cost Baldoni and his team "millions."

In a move that could draw significant attention, Lively has named several high-profile individuals and entities as potential witnesses in the trial, including pop superstar Taylor Swift, actor Hugh Jackman, talent agency WME, and Sony Brass. Court documents also reveal an alleged private text message from Taylor Swift to Blake Lively, reportedly referring to Justin Baldoni as 'b'.

Legal experts have weighed in on the high-stakes nature of Lively's strategy, with some suggesting she risks becoming a "pariah" akin to Amber Heard if her "dragon attack" approach backfires in court. As the "It Ends With Us" lawsuit continues to unfold, reports from Yahoo indicate that Justin Baldoni's case is currently "crumbling," adding another layer of complexity to the contentious proceedings. The comprehensive timeline of the lawsuit and its updates remain a subject of close observation.