Justin Baldoni's studio ordered to pay New York Times $171K in damages

Wayfarer Studios, founded by actor Justin Baldoni, has been ordered to pay The New York Times more than $171,000 in damages after a judge dismissed its defamation lawsuit against the newspaper. The ruling came after the newspaper's coverage of allegations made by actress Blake Lively against Baldoni.

New York Supreme Court Justice Gerald Lebovits granted summary judgment to The New York Times, stating that the company was entitled to $171,616.20 in damages. A spokesperson for The New York Times expressed satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing that the anti-SLAPP statute is intended to counter baseless lawsuits aimed at stifling journalistic reporting.

Anti-SLAPP, or Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, are legal mechanisms designed to protect public speech from being suppressed by powerful entities through litigation. These laws facilitate early dismissal of cases and allow for cost recovery for the defendants.

The case originated when Baldoni sued The New York Times in December 2024, alleging libel. He accused the journalists who reported on Lively's initial complaint of collaborating with her to damage his reputation and of misrepresenting evidence. Baldoni sought $250 million in damages.

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We’re delighted by the court’s decision. The anti-SLAPP statute is designed to combat exactly these kinds of meritless suits brought to silence the press.