One of the strong pieces of evidence for Blake Lively in her defamation suit is a recording from Justin Baldoni‘s friend and financier of Wayfarer Studios, Steve Sarowitz. In the secretly-recorded audio clip, Sarowitz allegedly unleashes a rant on Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. However, this evidence appears to have come back to haunt Lively.
According to Business Insider, Baldoni’s legal team has sought to unseal the entire recording. Lively only submitted the recording partially, and a transcript of the same was sealed on her request. However, lawyers for Baldoni asked a Manhattan judge that the entirety of Sarowitz’s recording be made public. The filing argued:
Mr. Sarowitz should be allowed to have the entire recording made public to ensure accuracy and provide context.
Here’s the problem for Lively. The full recording would probably reveal the unnamed witness who secretly recorded Sarowitz. This unnamed witness was working with Wayfarer on another project. Now, there are speculations that this witness was placed in Wayfarer Studios as Lively’s spy, which will open a whole lot of trouble for the actress.
Influencer and journalist Kjersti Flaa brought up the ‘spy’ theory in her YouTube video. While the identity of the witness remains hidden, it is speculated that this witness also had close ties to either Lively or Reynolds. Since Sarowitz’s recording carries weight in Lively’s case, it is likely that questions might be raised regarding this witness.
Steve Sarowitz’s Comments that Strengthened Blake Lively’s Case
Excerpts of Steve Sarowitz’s comments surfaced earlier this month, where he allegedly ranted about Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Way before Lively filed a lawsuit, Sarowitz allegedly called a meeting in August 2024 and berated the actress and her husband in front of the unnamed witness.
The witness recorded Sarowitz’s comments, which Lively’s lawyers brought before the court. They claimed that Sarowitz was recorded saying, “If Ms. Lively or Mr. Reynolds ever cross the line, ever, then I will go after them.” They further wrote what Sarowitz said:
I will protect the studio like Israel protected itself from Hamas. There were 39,000 dead bodies. There will be two dead bodies when I’m done.
Sarowitz allegedly clarified the last statement, sharing, “Minimum. Not dead, but ‘you’re dead to me.’ So that kind of dead. But dead to a lot of people.” He was also recorded saying, “I’m gonna spend a lot of money to make sure the studio is protected.”
The comments from Sarowitz seemingly aligned with Lively’s claims that Baldoni and the Wayfarer Studios planned to retaliate against her.
What Did Blake Lively Say About Steve Sarowitz’s Alleged Threat?
Part of the transcription from Blake Lively’s deposition last month was unsealed. The deposition saw Lively seemingly struggling to answer some questions put forth by Justin Baldoni’s legal team. During her deposition in New York, she addressed the smear campaign.
She was asked about the text exchange between Baldoni’s PR team Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, where Nathan said, “We can bury her.” Lively responded that she took it to mean “reputationally.” However, she shared in her deposition that Steve Sarowitz’s comments were scarier. She shared:
When they said that, I felt reputationally. When [Wayfarer co-founder] Steve Sarowitz said there would be two dead bodies by the time that he was done with us, yeah, I considered that that might be literal.
She further shared that it was “terrifying” as a “mother.” Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign texts and emails were unsealed after Blake Lively’s lawyers filed over 60 exhibits in New York federal court. The alleged texts and emails revealed new information, including social media guru Jed Wallace being hired by Wayfarer for a three-month contract, worth $30,000 per month (via Daily Mail).
What do you think of this new development in the Justin Baldoni-Blake Lively case? Let us know in the comments below!
