EXCLUSIVE: Blake Lively is heading too SXSW next month in Austin for the debut of Another Simple Favor, but the actress’ lawyers are exiting Texas when it comes to her and Ryan Reynolds‘ multifarious showdown with Justin Baldoni and his publicists over alleged sexual harassment during the making of It Ends With Us and the acerbic astroturfing that followed.
Less than two weeks after Lively’s team filed paperwork in the Lone Star state’s Hays County “to take a pre-suit deposition of Jed Wallace,” attorneys at Austin firm Haynes Boone LLP suddenly yanked the request out of the courts. A “notice of non-suit/dismissal” was placed in the Texas court docket Tuesday over talking to Street Relations crisis management boss and self-described “hired gun” Wallace.
However, just one day after the first actual court hearing in the now only six-week-old $400 million and counting Lively vs Baldoni face-off, the perhaps pivotal role of Jed Wallace in all this celebrity dust-up that has caught Hollywood, America and the world’s attention is far from out of the spotlight. In fact, it could become a big part of the trial currently set to start on March 9, 2026 in New York City.
Clearly far lesser known than IEWU star/director Baldoni and the likes of the Wayfarer Studios founder’s hard hitting publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, online subcontractor Wallace is nonetheless a basic player in lively and Reynolds’ claims that a smear campaign was orchestrated against the actress to preempt anticipated attacks on baldoni and what went down on domestic violence film IEWU from the power couple.
Based out of Dripping Springs, TX, Wallace and his Street Relations company were allegedly hired so they could “weaponize a digital army around the country, including in New York and Los Angeles, to create, seed, manipulate, and advance disparaging content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums,” the initial January 21 filing proclaims.
Stay tuned as this high-profile case continues to evolve, shedding light on the complexities of defamation, digital attacks, and the entertainment industry’s legal battles.
Amber Heard Reflects on Social Media’s Role in defamation Cases Amid Blake Lively’s Legal Battle
Amber Heard, known for her role in Aquaman, has once again found herself at the center of a media storm, this time commenting on the destructive power of social media in defamation cases. Her remarks come in the wake of Blake Lively’s legal accusations against Justin Baldoni, which have sparked a heated debate about the manipulation of online narratives.
Heard, who faced a highly publicized defamation trial against her ex-husband Johnny Depp in 2022, shared her thoughts on December 23, 2024, after Lively went public with her allegations.“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” Heard stated. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean star, Depp, had sued Heard for $50 million after she implied domestic abuse in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed. Despite the vitriolic social media campaign waged against her, Heard’s case highlighted the challenges of navigating public opinion in the digital age.
Now, a similar pattern appears to be emerging in Lively’s legal battle. A verified petition filed last month by Lively requests the deposition of Nathan Wallace, a key figure in the case. The petition alleges that Wallace and his team manipulated social media and tabloid coverage to favor Baldoni and disparage lively.
One particular text message chain from August 10, 2024, cited in the filing, reads: “We’ve also started to see a shift on social, due largely to Jed and his team’s efforts to shift the narrative towards shining a spotlight on Blake and ryan.”
The petition further states: “Petitioner additionally seeks testimony from Mr.Wallace regarding his knowledge of the underlying purpose of the work performed in connection with this engagement, particularly regarding the conduct by Respondent and any agents to manipulate social media sites, the tabloid media, and other coverage in favor of Mr. Baldoni and against Petitioner, to retaliate against and disparage Petitioner, and to undermine and breach Petitioner’s contracts with Wayfarer and It Ends With Us Movie LLC.”
This case underscores the growing concern over the role of social media in shaping public perception and influencing legal outcomes. As Heard’s experience demonstrates, the rapid spread of misinformation can have devastating consequences for those involved.
Key Points in the Legal Battles
| Case | Key Allegations | Social Media Impact |
|————————-|————————————————————————————-|—————————————————————————————–|
| Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard | Defamation claims following a 2018 op-ed implying domestic abuse | Vitriolic campaign against Heard, highlighting the spread of misinformation |
| Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni | Allegations of social media manipulation to favor Baldoni and disparage Lively | Accusations of narrative-shifting efforts to influence public opinion |
As these cases unfold, they serve as a stark reminder of the power and pitfalls of social media in the modern era. For Heard, Lively, and others, the battle for truth in the court of public opinion remains as challenging as ever.
For more details on the ongoing legal disputes, visit Deadline’s coverage.Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are set to face off in a high-profile trial scheduled for March 9, 2026, as ordered by New York federal judge Lewis J. Liman. The lawsuit, which has garnered significant attention, revolves around allegations of social media manipulation tied to the film adaptation of It ends With Us. Lively has requested a deposition from Jed Wallace, a crisis management specialist she claims orchestrated much of the online backlash that turned public sentiment against her.The case,filed in federal court in New York,has taken a dramatic turn with the potential addition of new defendants. Sources suggest that the amended complaint from Lively and Reynolds could soon name other individuals involved in the alleged manipulation. “Don’t be shocked if there’s more,” an insider revealed.“There may, I’m told, be other new defendants added too.”
this legal battle underscores the growing intersection of Hollywood, social media, and crisis management. As the trial date approaches, both sides are preparing for what promises to be a closely watched case.
| Key Details | Data |
|——————|—————–|
| trial Date | march 9, 2026 |
| Judge | Lewis J. Liman |
| Key Allegation | Social media manipulation by Jed Wallace |
| Potential Developments | Additional defendants may be named |
Stay tuned as this story unfolds,and share your thoughts on the implications of social media’s role in shaping public perception. For more updates, follow the latest developments in this case.
