Emily Baldoni Blake Lively shade chatter erupts over anniversary post
Emily Baldoni marked 13 years with Justin Baldoni, and fans tied her “favorite lift” caption to Blake Lively’s legal claims.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Emily Baldoni Blake Lively chatter kicked off after Emily celebrated her 13th wedding anniversary with Justin Baldoni by posting a wedding-day photo and a caption that some of Justin’s supporters read as a jab.
On Instagram, Emily shared an image showing Justin lifting her during their wedding ceremony. Her caption read: “Marriage: still my favorite lift. 😜” She added: “Thirteen, baby!!”
The post drew more than 39,000 likes and more than 1,100 comments, according to the Instagram embed shown by TMZ. Emily’s caption did not name Blake Lively.
Did Emily Baldoni shade Blake Lively?
TMZ reported that some fans interpreted the “favorite lift” line as a reference to Lively’s legal fight with Justin Baldoni. The outlet pointed to a claim in Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit involving her trainer, who alleged Justin asked about Lively’s weight because he had to lift her for a scene in “It Ends With Us.”
Emily has not said the anniversary caption was aimed at Lively. The post itself was framed as a wedding anniversary tribute, with the photo showing a lift from the Baldonis’ ceremony.
The reaction comes while Justin and his company, Wayfarer Studios, remain tied up in legal fallout from the “It Ends With Us” dispute. TMZ reported that a judge on Monday ordered Wayfarer Studios to pay $171,616 in legal fees to The New York Times.
According to TMZ, that fee order stems from Justin’s lawsuit against the newspaper. Justin had alleged that a Times story about the “It Ends With Us” set dispute was part of a smear campaign against him, but the case was dismissed.
What is the legal fight about?
The dispute centers on allegations and countersuits connected to the making and promotion of “It Ends With Us,” the film starring Lively and directed by Justin Baldoni. TMZ has reported that the legal battle includes Lively’s sexual harassment claims and Justin’s litigation against media and other parties over coverage of the controversy.
TMZ also reported that a federal judge ruled Justin and Wayfarer must pay Lively’s legal fees. The final amount has not been set, and Lively is seeking a little more than $8 million, according to the outlet.
Justin has opposed Lively’s fee request, TMZ previously reported. The latest Times fee order adds another specific dollar figure to the growing legal bill attached to the public fallout.
For now, the anniversary post remains an Instagram caption that fans are reading through the lens of a celebrity legal war. Emily posted about her marriage, the internet supplied the courtroom subtext.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.