Lively subpoenas Perez Hilton, Candace Owens amid Justin Baldoni defamation fight
Blake Lively has issued subpoenas to high-profile online figures Perez Hilton, Candace Owens, and Andy Signore in her defamation lawsuit connected to accused smear campaigns orchestrated by actor and director Justin Baldoni.
The move signals Lively’s determination to gather evidence of coordinated online misinformation.
Court filings accuse Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign, including the leaking of allegations via influencers and bloggers. Hilton’s extensive coverage and Owens’s viral commentary are said to have contributed to the public narrative.
Lively’s legal team emphasizes the subpoenas aim to uncover communications or payments between Baldoni's circle and those defendants. Meanwhile, Baldoni has filed a $400 million countersuit, which was dismissed in June. The case is advancing toward a March 2026 trial.
Under intense media spotlight, the legal battle highlights the growing entanglement of celebrity reputations, social media influence, and defamation law. Outcomes may reshape accountability for online smear campaigns.
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