Blake Lively’s legal war with Justin Baldoni may officially be settled, but the ugly public battle is still raging behind the scenes. 

Just days after both sides agreed to end their explosive courtroom showdown, Baldoni’s attorney launched fresh attacks against the actress, accusing her of avoiding trial because she was “scared” to testify under oath. 

The renewed back-and-forth has reignited public interest in the messy “It Ends With Us” fallout, with both camps now fighting over who actually walked away victorious.

Blake Lively is facing fresh criticism after Baldoni’s lawyer claimed the actress settled their legal dispute because she did not want to testify in court.

As The Blast reported, both parties reached a settlement Monday, ending their nearly two-year legal war just weeks before a May 18 trial was expected to begin.

However, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, immediately challenged the idea that the agreement represented a win for Lively.

“Part of the reason Blake settled is because she was scared to take the witness stand at trial. She did not want to face cross examination by anyone because that would require her to tell the truth,” Freedman told TMZ.

The lawyer also questioned why the “Gossip Girl” star chose not to publicly fight the case in court if her goal was truly to stand up for victims.

“If she’s doing this for survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment and retaliation as she says, then why don’t you take the stand at trial and prove it to the world?” he asked.

Freedman further argued that “A trial would have exposed her lies and the entire smear she was talking about in her interviews that she did.”

Lively’s Legal Team Fires Back At Baldoni’s Lawyer

The courtroom battle took a major turn last month after a judge dismissed many of Lively’s claims, including several tied to sexual harassment allegations.

Freedman pointed directly to those setbacks while arguing Lively gained little from the settlement. The attorney claimed the actress “ended up with nothing” after suing Baldoni for $300 million.

“If this is a resounding victory, what does a defeat look like?” he added.

Blake Lively’s attorneys wasted little time responding to Freedman’s explosive comments following the settlement announcement. 

“I guess he’s no longer ‘ecstatic’ about the settlement,” her legal team told the outlet.

Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Continue Trading Accusations

Lively and Baldoni may have reached a settlement, but both sides are still accusing each other of dishonesty.

Freedman claimed Lively “lied about telling Sony to destroy the dailies,” referring to footage connected to “It Ends With Us.” According to the lawyer, the Hollywood star’s testimony conflicted with an email from Sony executive Ange Giannetti.

He also accused Lively of misleading investigators regarding author Colleen Hoover. “She lied that she never told Colleen Hoover to unfollow Justin Baldoni. In her deposition, Colleen said Blake asked her to unfollow him,” Freedman stated.

The attorney insisted there were “more lies” beyond those allegations. Meanwhile, Lively’s attorneys released their own lengthy statement defending the actress and attacking Baldoni’s legal strategy.

“By agreeing to this settlement, and waiving their right to appeal, Justin Baldoni and every individual defendant now face personal liability for abusing the legal system to silence and intimidate Ms Lively,” the statement read per the Daily Mail.

The lawyers also pointed to language in the settlement acknowledging that Lively’s concerns “deserved to be heard.”

Lively Still Wants Legal Fees And Additional Damages

Blake Lively may have settled the main case, but the financial fight connected to the lawsuit is still ongoing.

The 38-year-old is reportedly seeking legal fees and damages tied to Baldoni’s failed $400 million defamation countersuit against her, Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times.

Court filings show Lively is also demanding “compensatory damages tripled, and punitive damages.”

Lively’s attorney, Michael Gottlieb, argued that California law protects people who publicly report sexual harassment claims.

He noted that California Civil Code Section 47.1 was specifically designed to ensure complainants can “share their experiences with courts, agencies, the press, and others without fear of suit.”

Judge Lewis Liman previously agreed with that argument when dismissing Baldoni’s defamation case last year. However, the director’s attorneys blasted the actress’s latest demands as excessive.

The legal team argued that forcing Baldoni to pay her costs would be “draconian.” According to Baldoni’s camp, he had every right to defend himself against Lively’s accusations.

Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni’s Film Became A Massive Hit

Lively and Baldoni’s ugly legal fight unfolded after the release of “It Ends With Us,” the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.

The movie starred Lively as Lily Bloom, a flower shop owner whose relationship with Baldoni’s character, neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, eventually spirals into domestic violence.

Despite the controversy surrounding the actors, the movie became a major box office success. “It Ends With Us” grossed more than $351 million worldwide after its release.

In a joint statement announcing the settlement, both camps acknowledged the importance of the project itself. They described the film as a “source of pride” while also recognizing the difficult legal battle that followed behind the scenes.

The statement added that both parties hoped the agreement would “allow all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”

Kim Kardashian’s whirlwind romance with Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton is already sparking marriage speculation, and even her longtime best friend Jonathan Cheban can’t help but laugh about it. 

After the pair recently went public with their relationship following months of rumors, fans immediately began wondering whether Kim could be preparing for a fourth trip down the aisle. 

While Cheban clearly finds the idea entertaining, he also admitted the reality star and racing icon seem surprisingly perfect together.

Kim Kardashian’s close friend Jonathan Cheban had a hilarious reaction when asked whether wedding bells could eventually ring for the reality mogul and Hamilton.

While attending Vulture’s Virtual Reality Masterminds celebration at The Lawn Club in New York, the 52-year-old reacted to the growing buzz surrounding Kim’s romance with the Formula One champion.

“Oh God, I will not go there,” Cheban joked to the Daily Mail when asked about the possibility of marriage. He added, “I’ve been through two. This is it. I’m stopping while I’m ahead.”

Even though he avoided making any bold predictions, Cheban made it clear he approves of the relationship. The reality TV personality, who also goes by Food God, described Kim and Hamilton as “a gorgeous couple.”

“They fit perfectly. They’re like a good yin and yang,” he said. Cheban added that he had met Hamilton before and immediately noticed similarities between the pair. “They’re both very cool. Very fashionable,” he shared.

Kim And Hamilton Finally Go Public

Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton recently took a major step in their romance by showing public affection for the first time. 

Earlier this week, the pair were photographed holding hands while leaving the Broadway play “The Fear Of 13,” starring Adrien Brody.

Although the couple has reportedly been dating for six months, the public display officially confirmed the relationship for many fans.

Kim and Hamilton have actually known each other for more than a decade, but insiders say things only became romantic late last year.

The pair reportedly spent New Year’s Eve together in Aspen alongside friends before taking multiple trips together in Europe. In February, they were spotted in the Cotswolds before traveling from the United Kingdom to Paris.

That same month, Kim and Hamilton also appeared side by side inside a VIP suite at the Super Bowl. Their romance continued to heat up in March, when they enjoyed a luxury getaway in Utah before traveling to Tokyo with Kim’s children.

The two have also been spotted at Coachella, shopping for furniture in Los Angeles, and paddleboarding in Malibu, where they were reportedly seen kissing and hugging.

Kim Kardashian Previously Admitted Marriage Still Feels Complicated

Even with her new romance flourishing, Kim previously admitted she remains uncertain about ever getting married again.

The SKIMS founder opened up about relationships during a 2024 appearance on SiriusXM’s “This Life of Mine with James Corden.”

“There’ll be moods where I’m just like, ‘You know what? I understand my life is really big and I understand it takes a really, really, really special, unique person to want to deal with that,’” she explained.

The mother of four admitted that balancing fame, business, and motherhood can make relationships difficult. “I think my life is really fun and whoever comes in my life will have a really good time, but it’s a lot,” she said.

Kim also stressed that she does not feel lonely despite being single at the time. “I’m not lonely, so I’m good. I have my kids, I have work, I have my family, but it would be nice to share your life with someone,” the socialite shared. 

She added, “But when you do, it’s such a big [commitment], I don’t take that lightly.”

Kim has previously been married three times, including her headline-making 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries and her highly publicized relationship with Kanye West.

Kim Says Motherhood Changed Her Friendship With Cheban

Kim Kardashian and Jonathan Cheban may not be photographed together as often these days, but the longtime friends insist their bond remains strong.

Earlier this year, Kim addressed speculation about their friendship while appearing on her sister, Khloé Kardashian’s “Khloé in Wonder Land” podcast.

“I love Jonathan. We should call him,” Kim said, adding, “Jonathan and I are good. Here’s the thing, I had kids.” She admitted that motherhood dramatically changed her social life and friendships.

“It’s really hard to maintain friendships when you have kids and you’re like in it,” Kim explained. She also noted that Cheban’s lifestyle is completely different from her family-focused routine in Calabasas.

“Jonathan is not going to come and sit around Calabasas all day. He’s like always on the move,” she added. Khloé agreed, pointing out how difficult it can sometimes be for friendships to stay the same when people are living very different lives.

Kim Kardashian’s Friendship With Jonathan Cheban Still Stays Strong

Cheban later addressed the friendship rumors himself and insisted there has never been any real distance between him and Kim.

“People post me in things and people say that Kim and I aren’t friends anymore and it’s so funny to watch this stuff ’cause we are friends and we talk all the time,” Cheban told Us Weekly in March 2025.

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The television personality said social media speculation often makes him laugh because their friendship continues privately even when cameras are not around.

“We’re going to be friends forever — and it’s fun,” he said. Cheban explained that Kim’s busy life as a mother and entrepreneur naturally limits how often they physically see each other.

“She’s got so many kids and so many things to do and I’m all the way on this coast,” he shared. Still, he revealed the two remain in constant contact, noting, “We talk all the time, and anything happens that I feel like we should discuss, we just send it right away.”

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Former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Garcelle Beauvais is getting candid about her dramatic exit from the popular Bravo series. In a new interview, the “Coming to America” actress said she made the difficult decision after realizing she was in a position that no longer served her.

Beauvais stopped by “The Today Show” in early May 2026 to promote her new Audible Original memoir, “Protecting My Peace… at All Costs.”

During her interview, the mother of three opened up about leaving the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” in March 2025 after five years.

“A line was drawn for me that I no longer wanted to cross. I felt like my spirit could no longer do it. (It was) just drama for the sake of drama,” Beauvais told NBC host Savannah Sellers.

Beauvais announced her exit with a vulnerable video on Instagram, noting that her time on Bravo was a “wild ride,” according to a previous report from The Blast.

The “Jamie Foxx Show” alum added. “Some amazing things have happened, and some hard things have also happened, but it’s been a ride nevertheless.”

Garcelle Beauvais Talks Leaving ‘RHOBH’ In Her New Memoir

While Beavuais’ departure from the series was more than a year ago, she’s keeping things as real as she can in her new memoir.

“I realized something I couldn’t unsee. I didn’t have an ally. Not one. Not a single friend sitting on that stage with me. No one to lock eyes with, no one to lean toward. No one saying, ‘I see you,’” she said in her latest book released on May 7.

She added, “The same way I walked in is how I walked out. Alone. I didn’t wanna fight anymore. I didn’t wanna be a grown a, woman, a grandmother, going after other women.”

Garcelle Beauvais Didn’t ‘Connect’ With Anybody On ‘Real Housewives’ During Her Final Season

Beauvais became even more candid in the publication, admitting that she was no longer connecting with her co-stars as she once had.

“And like I said (in my book), I felt like there wasn’t anybody there anymore that I connected with. And it was just time. I mean, ‘Housewives’ was never my last stop. I’ve done a lot of things prior to that and hope to do more afterward. But it was just time for me. It really was,” she said.

This isn’t the first time Beauvais has revealed that she felt like she was on an island while filming the final season of “RHOBH.” The Blast reported on Beauvais’ dramatic falling-out with her ex-friend, Sutton Stracke, who joined the cast at the same time as the iconic actress.

While speaking with Andy Cohen on “Watch What Happens Live,” Beauvais said she was “hurt” by Stracke’s lack of support during the season 14 reunion.

“Not only did she not have my back when she called, she never took accountability for it, and that hurt my feelings a lot,” Beauvais said.

Beauvais Has One Friend In This Socialite Turned Reality Star

While she’s no longer on the show, Beauvais appears to have formed a lasting bond with one of the show’s recurring cast members, Kathy Hilton.

“I love and adore her. I called her, obviously, right when I walked off the set from the reunion and talked to her,” Hilton said about Beauvais’ departure.

Hilton went on to say that she actually met with Beauvais following the reunion; however, she refused to bring up the show “because I just want her to know that she’s very loved and will be missed.”

How Does Beauvais Feel About Her Exit Today?

Being missed might not be enough for Beauvais to return, though. In December 2025, Beauvais said she’s been enjoying life since leaving the series and doesn’t know if she could see herself being back in the mix.

“You know, it was tough to be in that fishbowl. And I know the fandom is amazing, and everybody loves the show, and I took a lot away with me from it,” she said.

“But I’m also happy that I get to spend more time with my kids before they go off to college, and I get to do all these great creative things that I like to do,” she added.

Kris Jenner is finally addressing two of the biggest rumors surrounding her recent transformation. 

After months of speculation about Ozempic use and backlash over her facelift, the Kardashian matriarch is now speaking openly about both. 

During a candid podcast appearance, Jenner admitted she tried the trendy weight-loss medication before it exploded across Hollywood, but said the experience left her feeling ill. 

At the same time, she fiercely defended the plastic surgeon behind her dramatic new appearance while insisting she has zero regrets about her cosmetic choices.

Kris Jenner has officially confirmed she experimented with Ozempic long before the medication became one of Hollywood’s biggest obsessions.

The reality star first sparked rumors in 2023 after fans noticed her noticeably slimmer appearance during a vacation in Tuscany. Social media users immediately flooded the comments section with speculation about weight-loss injections.

For years, Jenner stayed silent about the rumors. However, during Tuesday’s episode of the “SHE MD” podcast, she finally admitted she had tried the medication.

“We tried it once when no one knew what it was,” Jenner revealed. The 70-year-old said the injections quickly became a problem because they made her feel “really sick” and “nauseous.”

After abandoning Ozempic, Jenner explained that she turned to other wellness methods instead. She said she now uses peptide injections and supplements, which she claims give her “more energy” and help her gain “an extra couple of hours every day.”

Jenner also stressed the importance of monitoring hormone health as women age, noting, “I get my blood drawn every three months just to keep my hormones balanced.”

Jenner Furiously Denies Facelift Regret Rumors

Kris Jenner is also shutting down reports claiming she regrets her facelift. The television personality recently faced rumors suggesting she was unhappy with the results of her expensive cosmetic procedure and believed the facelift had started “slipping.”

According to speculation, Jenner was allegedly considering another surgery despite working with celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Steven M. Levine, often nicknamed the “facelift maestro.”

However, the reality TV star forcefully denied the claims while appearing on daughter Khloé Kardashian’s podcast, “Khloé in Wonderland.”

“Lately, it’s this headline about my facelift, which is really truly driving me crazy,” Jenner admitted, adding, “The headline right now is that I hate my facelift, and I’m really mad at… I’m furious at my doctor, Steven Levine, which couldn’t be further from the truth.”

She continued m, “It’s a flat-out lie. I love my facelift. I adore my doctor. I’m obsessed with him,” explaining that the entire purpose of the surgery was simply to refresh her appearance.

“The goal was to do a beautiful lift and give me a refresh and do a beautiful jawline, which I achieved,” she said. The Kardashian matriarch added that she normally ignores gossip, but felt compelled to defend Levine because the rumors were damaging his reputation.

Jenner Says She Does Not Need Public Approval

Kris Jenner made it clear she has no interest in changing herself to satisfy critics.

During the podcast conversation, the momager insisted she feels completely comfortable with her appearance and no longer worries about public opinion.

“At 70 years old, I don’t really care what someone thinks of me. I don’t need anyone’s approval,” Jenner declared,” further noting, “I love my face. And I’m really okay with the way I look.”

Since undergoing the facelift, Jenner has confidently shown off her refreshed appearance during several major public events.

She attended the lavish wedding celebrations for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, where fans once again commented on her youthful appearance. 

The TV personality also turned heads during the Kardashian family’s annual holiday party alongside longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble.

Kris Jenner Reveals Secret ‘Password’ With Her Plastic Surgeon

In the past, Jenner has shared surprising behind-the-scenes details about her relationship with Dr. Levine.

During an appearance on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast in October, she revealed the surgeon initially wanted to avoid the publicity connected to her facelift.

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“He didn’t want the attention, which I loved,” Jenner explained per the Daily Mail. She said she eventually asked whether she had permission to publicly reveal his identity.

In her words, “And he goes, ‘Listen, I’ll tell you what. As long as we can come up with a password so that if somebody calls and says, I’m Kris Jenner’s best friend, and can I have a consultation? They have to say the secret password.’”

Kris Jenner Explains Why She Openly Discusses Surgery

Jenner has become increasingly open about discussing cosmetic procedures publicly. 

In an interview with Vogue Arabia last August, she explained that she decided it was time for another facelift after more than a decade.

“I had a facelift about 15 years ago, so it was time for a refresh,” she shared, adding that she decided to do the procedure because she wanted a better version for herself.

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The socialite later revealed she intentionally chose to speak publicly about the surgery because she hoped it would encourage others not to feel ashamed.

She explained that being honest about cosmetic procedures could “inspire others not to be afraid of surgeries that you need that are necessary or even something you wanna do because you wanna feel better about yourself.”

Summer House’s West Wilson is setting the record straight after Ciara Miller accused him of sleeping with Jennifer Fessler.

Ciara, 30, made the claim on Friday, May 8, after Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Jennifer, 57,  defended West amid his ongoing relationship dramas.

“[West] is the cutest, sweetest golden retriever puppy dog. He does not mean any harm. He didn’t mean it. He’s just trying to have a good time. He doesn’t wanna hurt anyone. Give him a break,” Jennifer said at Vulture’s The Masterminds of Reality TV event on Thursday. (Wilson, 31, caused controversy by hooking up with his costar Amanda Batula, 34, after previously dating her friend, Ciara.)

When the comments were posted via Threads, Ciara responded to Jennifer’s remarks by commenting, “Lol, because they slept together too.”

Taking to his Instagram Stories on Friday, West denied his ex’s accusations. He wrote “news to me” and tagged Jennifer alongside a popular meme that indicates confusion and facts not adding up.

A source close to West also hosed down the accusation, exclusively telling Us Weekly on Friday the claim was “absolutely not true.” The insider described Ciara’s comment as “such a silly allegation.”

After facing widespread speculation about their relationship, West and Amanda confirmed their romantic connection via a joint statement shared on March 31.

“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” read the statement. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”

The pair added that their platonic relationship evolved into something romantic over time.

“We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected,” they continued. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”

The new romance came just two months after Amanda and her Summer House costar Kyle Cooke announced their split after four years of marriage.

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“After much reflection, we have mutually and amicably decided to part ways as a couple,”  Amanda and Kyle wrote via an Instagram statement in January. “We share this with a heavy heart and kindly ask for your grace and support while we focus on our personal growth and healing.”

Meanwhile, Ciara shared her thoughts on West and Amanda’s budding relationship via an interview with Glamour published on April 17, revealing she had “less than 24 hours notice” before West and Amanda’s public statement was shared with the world.

“It’s one thing to experience hurt behind closed doors,” Ciara told the magazine. “To experience it so publicly is like another layer, and then to have to see what you thought was your life still play out in season 10. It’s a major mindf***.

Jennifer Fessler is hitting back after Ciara Miller accused her ex West Wilson of hooking up with the Real Housewives of New Jersey alum.

Speaking to Page Six on Friday, May 8, the F Major cofounder, 57, brushed off Ciara’s claim that she had been intimate with West, 31.

“It’s flattering that anyone would think someone who slept with Ciara Miller would be interested in sleeping with me,” Jennifer, who has been married to Jeff Fessler since 1999, told the outlet.

Jennifer’s comments about West at Vulture’s The Masterminds of Reality TV event on Thursday prompted Ciara, 30, to make the unsubstantiated claim.

The RHONJ alum defended West as he continues to face public backlash for embarking a romance with his Summer House costar Amanda Batula — who is also a former friend of Ciara’s.

“[West] is the cutest, sweetest golden retriever puppy dog. He does not mean any harm. He didn’t mean it,” Jennifer said at the event. “He’s just trying to have a good time. He doesn’t wanna hurt anyone. Give him a break.”

When Jennifer’s comments emerged via Threads, Ciara responded via the platform, “Lol, because they slept together too.”

West took to his Instagram Stories on Friday to hose down the speculation. The Summer House alum sarcastically wrote, “news to me.” He tagged Jennifer in his post.

After briefly dating, West and Ciara confirmed they’d split for good at the Summer House season 8 reunion, which was filmed in May 2024.

For her part, Amanda, 34, and husband Kyle Cooke, 43, confirmed their separation in January after four years of marriage.

When rumors then began to intensify that Amanda and West’s relationship had become more than platonic, the duo confirmed the speculation in March via a joint Instagram statement.

“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” they wrote in March. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”

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Meanwhile, Jennifer has spoken candidly in the past about the ups and downs in her own marriage to husband Jeff, including infidelity that occurred seven years after tying the knot.

“My marriage was definitely not my priority at that time, and it wasn’t for Jeff either,” Jennifer explained on the “I Do Part 2” podcast in February 2025. “We were just not connecting. We were not connecting on an emotional level, and we were not connecting on a physical level.”

While the couple eventually patched things up and continued to work hard on their union, Jennifer admitted on the podcast that she “completely lost my mind” after discovering Jeff was having an affair.