Entertainment

The real $60M winners from Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni’s career immolation — and whether either can ever come back

wp content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2026%2F05%2Fnewspress collage sob9mnlns 1777983381087

After 18 months of bare-knuckle brawling, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal saga ended with a whimper. The two sides settled their claims on Monday afternoon, exactly two weeks before Lively’s $400 million lawsuit against Baldoni was poised to hit a New York courtroom.

To be clear, there were no winners at the end of this fight unless you count the four high-priced attorneys — Bryan Freedman, Ellyn Garofalo, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson — who signed the joint statement released after the high-profile parties settled. And Lively and Baldoni certainly are leaving the fray with significantly lighter wallets. Sources tell Page Six Hollywood that the pair spent $60 million combined to sue and countersue one another. That’s a lot of money for what ended in a stalemate and potential career immolation. Reps for Lively and Baldoni did not respond to a request for comment.

Across the industry Monday, some top executives and producers with ties to the dispute were breathing a sigh of relief as they would no longer be required to testify in the case that was shaping up to be an even bigger media circus than the 2022 Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation trial. “I was very scared of the backlash,” said one source who was scheduled to testify.

To put that $60 million figure into context, that could finance two additional sequels of the hit movie. In fact, “It Ends With Us” cost about $25 million and earned $351 million. Baldoni, who financed the domestic violence-themed film, held the rights to a prequel, also based on a best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover. But that film will likely never be made after the legal war between Baldoni and Lively.

Sources say neither side can discuss the terms of the settlement, but both are free to speak to the press about anything else involving the drama that tarnished the careers of both Lively and Baldoni.

The sheer volume of embarrassing exchanges and footage released since Lively filed the first complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department — which alleged she was sexually harassed on set by her director/co-star, and was then the victim an alleged smear campaign — could fill a lower-rent Smithsonian. But that complaint, which morphed into a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, lost momentum over the ensuing 18 months, culminating with Judge Lewis Liman throwing out the sexual harassment claim in April.

Lively’s only path to victory in a courtroom rested on a smear campaign allegation that her side had dubbed “untraceable,” and Judge Liman was pressuring both sides to settle the matter and not waste the court’s time.

Now that the case is over, Lively and Baldoni will look to pick up the pieces of their respective careers. (Lively seemed unfazed as she posed for photos on the Met Gala red carpet hours after the settlement was announced). Folks across the industry, including top executives and agents, were weighing in with their opinions on who had done more damage to their career, and opinions were split this week.

“Justin doesn’t have enough value in the market to overcome the suspicion that he may have created an unsafe set. I’m not sure he could cast a movie right now,” one high-level female studio exec told us.

“Blake will have to take a break and take a cut on her first paycheck, but she’s still a movie star.”

Added another female executive: “They both did major damage, but because she’s so established I think she stands a chance of re-emerging better than he does. I would struggle to hire both of them, but I would gamble on her. There’s a pretty big downside for both of them, but the upside is bigger for her.”

Baldoni, who recently sold his house in Ojai and has since moved to Nashville with his family, has several advantages according to sources. He is now considered more of a director than an actor, and most people don’t pay attention or even care who’s the person behind the camera. His Wayfarer Studios can finance its own projects, and backed Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut “Eleanor the Great,” which was released last year without any circus surrounding his involvement as an executive producer (Johansson was previously married to Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds, who also got hit in the Baldoni legal crossfire. Hollywood reporters had a field day once they got their hands on text messages in discovery showing the A-lister allegedly putting pressure on execs at Sony, which released “It Ends With Us.”)

Lively faces some challenges moving ahead: As a leading actor who has proven that she can open a film, her return might be more fraught as she’ll need to win support of a director, studio or financier. “I think she can be in some TV show,” said a male executive. “But she’s hurt the worst since he can finance his own movies.”

Another male manager said, “Most of Hollywood knows what’s up. Yeah, maybe he’s a weirdo, but he didn’t commit any crime. Blake did this to herself whether they will admit it or not.”

Hoover, for one, emerges from the drama unscathed — and not having to testify. Amazon MGM has extremely high hopes for the psychological thriller “Verity,” which opens on Oct. 2. That film, top-lined by Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, is based on another Hoover best seller.

Lively and Baldoni’s joint statement that ended the case read: “The end product — the movie ‘It Ends With Us’ — is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors — and all survivors — is a goal that we stand behind. We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard. We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.”

Entertainment

Hit 90s movie franchise returns after 24 years, star confirms

wp content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2026%2F06%2Fhit film returning 24 years 131548375

A hit film from the 90s and noughties is about to get revived after 24 years.

Austin Powers, the comedy spy franchise that has given us three flicks, plenty of big belly laughs, and memorable characters, is finally getting a fourth installment.

The news was confirmed by star and creator Mike Myers (who plays the lead Austin Powers), who offered up the confirmation of another sequel, but with no further details.

While attending Trevor Noah’s World Cup Watch Party this week, the actor was asked the big question by a bold fan.

“Are we ever going to see an Austin Powers 4?” they quizzed.

Myers didn’t need any time at all to respond, swiftly replying: “yes” to the fan.

But that’s all the details fans are getting for now, with the actor avoiding elaborating any more – including what the new flick will be about and which A-listers might be signing up as a cameo.

“Austin Powers” is a much-loved spoof of classic spy movies centring on a highly-sexed, cryogenically frozen 1960s secret agent who wakes up in modern times.

We were first introduced to the franchise in 1997 with the release of “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” Two years later, in 1999, Myers returned with “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” and in 2002, we were given “Austin Powers in Goldmember.”

In the trilogy, comedy mastermind Myers famously plays multiple roles, including the velvet-suited hero and his bald, pinky-biting nemesis, Dr. Evil. He also transforms into characters Goldmember and Fat Bastard.

The hilarious franchise boasts wild A-list cameos, including appearances by Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow, Britney Spears, and Beyoncé.

Over at the box office, the three films have raked in an impressive $US 676 million combined and have snagged over 20 awards, including an Oscar nomination for best make-up as well as a Grammy win for Madonna’s title track for Beautiful Stranger – a song penned for the second film in the franchise.

The news of a fourth film comes 24 years after the third flick hit cinemas.

Since its release, Myers has been hinting that the secret agent may return.

Most recently, speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the 2024 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala, Myers dropped his biggest hint.

“I can neither confirm nor deny the existence or non-existence of such a project… It’s likely to be from Dr. Evil’s point of view,” he teased.

Entertainment

Bunnie Xo reveals the fight that led to Jelly Roll divorce filing in bombshell tell-all video

wp content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2026%2F06%2F131495608

Bunnie Xo finally addressed her bombshell divorce from Jelly Roll after 10 years of marriage.

“J and I have never really been good at having disagreements. So, we were the type of couple who never argued. So, he would be holding things in. I would be holding things in, and that’s a recipe for disaster,” Bunnie said on Thursday’s episode of her “Dumb Blonde” podcast.

“We always preach you gotta be comfortable having the uncomfortable conversations, and we did that for eight years in. Then the past year and a half, we kind of got away from that because, we’re in a different life right now.”

Bunnie continued, recalling their final argument that went down on Mother’s Day where she told him to “file the f–king divorce papers.”

“On Mother’s Day, we had a little bit of an argument, which I don’t think the details are necessary. And, in that argument, I was so fed up and so tired that I just looked at him and said, ‘Well, then file the f–king divorce papers,’” she said.

“In our relationship, that is the one cardinal thing that you don’t say, even though my husband has said it numerous times,” she noted. “But, when I say it, it really holds weight because I’m not the type of person who says what I don’t mean.”

The conversation ended with Bunnie packing a bag and leaving the Grammy winner, she said.

The “Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic” host added that their IVF journey had also taken a toll on their marriage.

“In the last two years when we decided to have a baby, I had to do IVF. My hat goes off to any woman, family, couple who is going through IVF because let me tell you something dude that is one of the loneliest, darkest journeys you will be on,” she said, noting that process “completely wrecked” her.

“Yes, everybody gets to see the reward at the end, but it is not all bells and whistles. It is not a beautiful journey,” Bunnie continued. “It wrecked me emotionally, spiritually, physically. It was so hard on me that for the past year and a half, I became a shell of the person I was because I’m doing this IVF journey. I’m fighting hard just to you know be able to produce enough eggs to make a baby with my husband, especially at my age.”

The process became more difficult as she revealed that Jelly Roll “had low sperm count” so “he had to get on a bunch of hormones and a whole bunch of medication which turned him into a freaking nightmare to be around.”

Bunnie continued, revealing that the couple has “lost four embryos” throughout their experience.

“We’ve had three transfers but we lost the the two twins that we were going to try to have and then we lost the other two. And anybody that’s going through that and has to deal with these miscarriages, it’s gut-wrenching. It is so heartbreaking,” she confessed.

On Monday, news broke that Jelly Roll, 41, quietly pulled the plug on his and Bunnie Xo’s marriage on May 18, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split, Page Six confirmed.

The country singer filed for divorce in Williamson County, Tennessee, where he and the “Dumb Blonde” podcast host, 46, lived together.

The exes agreed to divide their assets and debts.

Movers were photographed outside of the estranged couple’s Tennessee home on Monday, though it’s unclear whose items were being packed up.

The “Wild Ones” crooner, born Jason Bradley DeFord, hinted at trouble in paradise when he opted out of wearing his wedding ring while performing at the 2026 CMA Fest in Nashville earlier this month.

Eagle-eyed fans on social media also noticed that he has ditched his ring since around February or March.

As for Bunnie, born Alisa DeFord, she compared exes to trash cans in a cheeky video of herself wearing a revenge outfit, captioning it, “Intuition when that s–t don’t add up.”

Additionally, the internet personality shared a photo of herself posing in lingerie shortly before news of their split broke.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2016, but they briefly split in 2018.

They later reconciled and renewed their vows in 2023.

The “Somebody Save Me” singer has previously admitted to having cheated on his estranged wife ahead of getting sober from hard drugs.

Entertainment

Daveigh Chase’s former manager casts doubt on late actress’ alleged boyfriend’s GoFundMe

wp content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2026%2F06%2Fdaveighchase gfm

Daveigh Chase’s former manager is urging fans not to donate to the late actress’ alleged boyfriend Roy Hernandez’s viral GoFundMe.

On Tuesday, John Ryan told TMZ, “Neither her family nor her close friends know who this person is.

“I can confirm Daveigh has a SAG trust account with more than enough funds to cover all medical and related expenses,” Chase’s longtime friend added.

Hernandez, however, insisted to the outlet that he plans to use the GoFundMe money to give Chase a “proper memorial.”

The fundraiser has, so far, raised $3,924 out of its $5,000 goal.

Ryan alleged to The Post on Wednesday that Chase leaves behind millions of dollars of residuals, which he claims she was “too far gone” on heroin and fentanyl to claim despite his attempts to get in touch.

The “Lilo & Stitch” star died on Tuesday at age 35 after a case of meningitis and an infection in Chase’s blood led to her body shutting down over sepsis issues.

Prior to her passing, Chase was admitted to a hospital for malnutrition.

She was spotted living in Downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row months before her death.

Hernandez wrote in his online campaign that Chase “wanted … a place where [they] could live together, feel safe and be happy.”

After describing her “critical” health scare, he wrote, “Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days.

“After a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA,” he claimed. “When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.”

Hernandez also highlighted Chase’s iconic projects, including voicing Chihiro Ogino in “Spirited Away.”

She is also best known for being in “The Ring” and “Donnie Darko.”

Chase’s last acting role was playing Krissy Madison in “American Romance” in 2016.

She spoke to Interview magazine about her legacy years prior, saying, “I just want to make something that I love and people will respect. I want to do things that will change someone’s life, not something they’ll forget about tomorrow.”

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).