Blake Lively releases statement after judge dismisses her claims

Blake Lively has released a statement after the judge threw out 10 of 13 claims in her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni amid the It Ends With Us legal saga.Despite a majority of her case being dismissed, the 38-year-old actress said she remains "grateful" that her complaints – which include accusing It Ends With Us director Baldoni and his associates of aiding and abetting as well as retaliation breach of contract – will be heard by a jury trial next month."The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others," she shared in a statement on her Instagram stories.Watch the video above. "I hope the Court's decision shows others that, as unfathomably painful as it is, you can speak up," she said.The Gossip Girl actress reminded her fans to not be "distracted by the digital soap opera" that the case has caused."The constant packaging of this lawsuit as a 'Celebrity Drama' is not only irresponsible, but it is by design: to keep you from seeing yourselves in my story.READ MORE: 'It's a funny story:' The little-known tale behind the Wiggles signature lookREAD MORE: 'Life-threatening' Easter treat you need to keep away from your dogsREAD MORE: From a row to a court battle: How it all went wrong for Kyle and Jackie O"The physical pain from digital violence is very real. It is abuse. And it's everywhere," she continued."If you're looking, my claims won't be the first or last time you'll see examples of the extreme dangers of retaliation and digital warfare. And it often won't be directed at celebrities or those who may able to speak up."Lively ended the statement with a vow to her supporters."I will never stop doing my part in fighting to expose the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims. I know it's a privilege to be able to stand up. I will not waste it."Your support keeps me going." It comes soon after Baldoni's camp released his own statement on the matter.For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.Speaking to The Daily Mail following the dismissal, Baldoni's attorneys Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach reacted to this legal win."We're very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants: Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, Melissa Nathan, and Jennifer Abel," the statement from Shapiro and Bach read."These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence that was provided."They went on to add that the remainder of Lively's lawsuit presents "a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defence to the remaining claims in court."Blake Lively's camp also responded in the aftermath of the dismissal, clarifying that the claims in question had been thrown out on a legal technicality."[The sexual harassment claims] aren't going forward not because the defendants did nothing wrong, but because the court determined Blake Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee," their statement read.They went on to say that they were not deterred by the outcome, as the lawsuit at its core has "always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively's reputation".Judge Lewis Liman was responsible for the claims being dropped, leading to a significant win for team Baldoni, whose $611 million countersuit against the It Ends with Us actress was also dismissed by Liman late last year.FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.