In Hollywood, lawsuits often unfold like carefully scripted dramas, with every legal filing, public statement, and media leak contributing to a narrative that plays out in front of millions. The ongoing defamation dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over the It Ends With Us film is no exception. While the case raises serious legal questions, it also highlights how public figures strategically use the law, media, and public relations to control the storyline.

In this episode of Beyond the First, I sit down with two students from my Media Law and Ethics class, to analyze how defamation law applies in the entertainment industry, and whether celebrities today are more concerned with protecting their reputations or shaping public perception. How does the law differentiate between fair criticism and harmful falsehoods? When do media narratives cross the line from reporting to reputation destruction? And does the legal system even stand a chance in the face of viral social media storms

We examine the Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni lawsuit, break down past high-profile defamation cases, and discuss what these legal battles mean for Hollywood, journalism, and everyday social media users. With celebrity feuds increasingly being fought as much in courtrooms as they are on Twitter and Instagram, this episode takes a closer look at the intersection of free speech, defamation law, and the power of media narratives.

Is this case about legal redress, or is it a PR war disguised as a lawsuit? Join us for a discussion that unpacks the legal, ethical, and media complexities of high-profile defamation cases.

Read, Subscribe, and Join the Conversation.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit israelbalderas.substack.com