Chelsea Handler Wants Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to End Their Legal 'Frenzy': 'You're Not Helping Yourself'

Mar. 15, 2025

(Left-right:) Chelsea Handler; Blake Lively; Justin Baldoni.Photo:David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty; Jeff Spicer/Getty; Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty; Jeff Spicer/Getty; Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty

Chelsea Handleris further weighing in onBlake LivelyandJustin Baldoni’songoing legal conflict.The comedian, 49, likened the public back-and-forth between theIt Ends With Uscostars to playground fighting in an interview withPage Sixpublished Monday, Feb. 24.“The reason it’s such a frenzy is that they keep releasing more and more stuff,” Handler said of Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 41. “Stop it. You’re not helping yourself.”She added, “It’s like you have to break up a fight in a schoolyard playground. … It’s like, ‘Don’t they know to stop?’ Isn’t someone saying, ‘Stop it!’?' ”Handler, whose seventh bookI’ll Have What She’s Havingis out Feb. 25, previouslycommentedon Lively and Baldoni’s legal drama whilehostingthis year’sCritics Choice Awardson Feb. 7.Chelsea Handler at the Critics Choice Awards on Feb. 7.Kevin Winter/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.It’s important in difficult times “to have a distraction, and that’s why I want to personally extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively," she joked onstage.“I think we’re all grateful — and I think we’re good," she continued. “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 bea sequel.“In December, Lively brought forth allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation when she sued herIt Ends With Usdirector and costar Baldoni, plus his PR team and members of his production company Wayfarer Studios. Baldoni, who has denied those allegations, responded with a lawsuit of his own in January against Lively, her husbandRyan Reynolds, their publicist andThe New York Times, with defamation and extortion among the accusations.Both Lively and Baldoni opted out of court mediation, indicating that they’ll go to trial with theirMarch 2026 court date.(Left-right:) Blake Lively; Ryan Reynolds; Justin Baldoni.Jeff Spicer/Getty; Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage; James Devaney/GC ImagesBoth sides have traded pointed statements since Lively’s initial filing, which Baldoni’s attorneys have called “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt.“The actress’s team has called Baldoni’s countersuit “desperate” and “meritless.” Earlier this month at apre-trial conferencehashing out Lively’s prospectiverequest for a gag order, a judge cautioned the stars’ attorneys against litigating their legal battle in the press.

Chelsea Handleris further weighing in onBlake LivelyandJustin Baldoni’songoing legal conflict.

The comedian, 49, likened the public back-and-forth between theIt Ends With Uscostars to playground fighting in an interview withPage Sixpublished Monday, Feb. 24.

“The reason it’s such a frenzy is that they keep releasing more and more stuff,” Handler said of Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 41. “Stop it. You’re not helping yourself.”

She added, “It’s like you have to break up a fight in a schoolyard playground. … It’s like, ‘Don’t they know to stop?’ Isn’t someone saying, ‘Stop it!’?' ”

Handler, whose seventh bookI’ll Have What She’s Havingis out Feb. 25, previouslycommentedon Lively and Baldoni’s legal drama whilehostingthis year’sCritics Choice Awardson Feb. 7.

Chelsea Handler at the Critics Choice Awards on Feb. 7.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

It’s important in difficult times “to have a distraction, and that’s why I want to personally extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively,” she joked onstage.

“I think we’re all grateful — and I think we’re good,” she continued. “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 bea sequel.”

In December, Lively brought forth allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation when she sued herIt Ends With Usdirector and costar Baldoni, plus his PR team and members of his production company Wayfarer Studios. Baldoni, who has denied those allegations, responded with a lawsuit of his own in January against Lively, her husbandRyan Reynolds, their publicist andThe New York Times, with defamation and extortion among the accusations.

Both Lively and Baldoni opted out of court mediation, indicating that they’ll go to trial with theirMarch 2026 court date.

(Left-right:) Blake Lively; Ryan Reynolds; Justin Baldoni.Jeff Spicer/Getty; Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage; James Devaney/GC Images

Jeff Spicer/Getty; Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage; James Devaney/GC Images

Both sides have traded pointed statements since Lively’s initial filing, which Baldoni’s attorneys have called “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt.”

The actress’s team has called Baldoni’s countersuit “desperate” and “meritless.” Earlier this month at apre-trial conferencehashing out Lively’s prospectiverequest for a gag order, a judge cautioned the stars’ attorneys against litigating their legal battle in the press.

source: people.com