Chelsea Handler Blasts Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni for Ongoing Feud
Chelsea Handler has weighed in on the highly publicized legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, calling out both stars for their roles in the endless drama. In an exclusive interview with Page Six, Handler criticized the pair for repeatedly fueling the media frenzy surrounding their dispute. “The reason it’s such a frenzy is that they keep releasing more and more stuff,” Handler remarked, expressing frustration over their inability to stop escalating the situation. She even jokingly quipped, “Stop it! You’re not helping yourself,” urging the duo to end the constant back-and-forth. Handler’s comments highlight the public’s growing exhaustion with the prolonged feud, which has dominated headlines for months.
The 49-year-old comedian and author also took a swipe at Baldoni for sharing private texts between himself and Lively, comparing the situation to a schoolyard fight. “It’s like you have to break up a fight in a schoolyard playground,” she said. Handler’s blunt remarks underscore the perception that both parties are acting immaturely, with neither willing to step back and de-escalate the conflict. Her candid take on the situation has resonated with many, as the public grows increasingly weary of the endless drama and legal maneuvering.
Legal Battles Intensify Between Lively and Baldoni
The tension between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, co-stars from the film It Ends With Us, began last summer when they skipped joint publicity events. However, the situation took a dramatic turn in December 2024 when Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of attempting to “destroy” her reputation. Shortly after, she filed a formal lawsuit in New York federal court, alleging emotional distress and lost wages. Baldoni has vehemently denied the charges, firing back with a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for reporting on Lively’s complaint. He also filed a separate $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of defamation and extortion.
The feud has only grown more heated, with Baldoni releasing private texts between himself and Lively, including one in which she allegedly wrote, “If you knew me (in person) longer, you’d have a sense of how flirty and yummy the ball-busting will play. It’s my love language. Spicy and playfully bold, never with teeth.” The release of these texts has sparked further controversy, with many questioning the ethics of sharing private communications in the midst of a legal battle. Meanwhile, Lively has criticized The Hollywood Reporter for a recent cover story on the feud, calling it “outrageously insulting” and accusing it of perpetuating sexist tropes about women who file workplace complaints.
The Feud Becomes a Public Spectacle
The ongoing legal drama between Lively and Baldoni has become a circus-like spectacle, with both sides seemingly determined to outdo each other in the court of public opinion. The release of private texts, the filing of massive lawsuits, and the constant stream of accusations have kept the media and the public hooked. Handler, who hosted the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, even jokes that the feud has provided a much-needed distraction from the turmoil of President Trump’s second term. “Waking up every day, not knowing what news we are going to hear that will disappoint or horrify us. So, it’s important, in times like these, to have a distraction,” she quipped during the awards ceremony.
Handler also humorously noted that the feud has likely torpedoed any chance of a sequel to It Ends With Us. “I think we’re all grateful, and I think we’re good. I think everybody in this room – no matter whose side you’re on – we can all agree to accept that there’s probably not going to be a sequel,” she said to laughter from the audience. Her remarks highlight how the feud has transcended the realm of legal battles and become a cultural talking point, with many people tuning in just to see what happens next.
The Feud’s Impact on Public Perception
As the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni continues to unfold, public opinion remains sharply divided. Some have rallied around Lively, praising her for speaking out against workplace harassment, while others have criticized her for what they perceive as an overreaction. On the other hand, Baldoni’s decision to release private texts has raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether the move was strategic or simply petty. Handler’s comparison of the situation to a schoolyard fight resonates with many who see the feud as a prime example of how personal disputes can spiral out of control when played out in the public eye.
The involvement of high-profile figures like Ryan Reynolds and Leslie Sloane has further complicated the situation, turning what could have been a private legal matter into a full-blown media spectacle. The fact that settlement talks have been deemed “premature” and mediation efforts have been rejected suggests that both sides are dug in for the long haul. With a potential trial date set for March 9, 2026, the world will continue to watch as this drama unfolds. For now, it seems that neither Lively nor Bald
