Blake Lively privately dubbed her Manhattan penthouse office “Buckingham Palace” because so many celebrities visited, Justin Baldoni testified in his October 6, 2025 deposition obtained by News Of Losangeles.
At a Glance
- Baldoni claims Lively insisted all It Ends With Us meetings be held at her penthouse office
- He says she nicknamed the space “Buckingham Palace” due to frequent celebrity traffic
- The apartment has become a recurring backdrop in the dueling lawsuits
- Why it matters: The deposition details could shape public perception ahead of the May 2026 trial
The deposition transcript, filed in court and reviewed by News Of Losangeles, shows Baldoni, 41, describing how Lively, 38, required production meetings to take place inside the couple’s New York apartment.
“She used to call it Buckingham Palace, as she said, because so many celebrities walked through there,” Baldoni stated under oath. “I think that was her office in her penthouse apartment, which was the place that Ms. Lively requested all of our meetings be.”
Legal Battle Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | Lively sues Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios for sexual harassment and retaliation |
| 2025 | Baldoni countersues Lively and Reynolds for defamation and extortion; countersuit later dismissed |
| Oct 6 2025 | Baldoni deposed in Los Angeles |
| May 2026 | Trial currently scheduled |
Lively’s original complaint alleges unwanted conduct during filming of the romantic drama. Baldoni denies the allegations and has accused Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds, 49, of orchestrating a smear campaign.
Inside the Penthouse Meetings
Baldoni’s testimony places several contentious moments inside the Reynolds-Lively penthouse:
- A meeting where Baldoni claims Reynolds “berated” him over allegedly “fat-shaming” Lively during production
- A separate visit where Baldoni says he told the pregnant actress about his own circumcision while discussing her unborn son
When questioned by Lively’s attorney Michael J. Gottlieb about the circumcision remark, Baldoni confirmed he volunteered the information even though Lively had not asked.
“Directly, no,” Baldoni replied when asked if Lively posed the question.
He then listed the people present: Reynolds moving in and out of the room, two nannies, a housekeeper, and two assistants, while he and Lively sat on the couch.
Case Posture
The high-profile clash has already seen multiple delays. A March 2025 trial date was pushed to May 2026. Baldoni attended Lively’s July deposition in person; Reynolds has not been deposed.
Lively and Reynolds share four children. Baldoni and wife Emily have a son and daughter.
Key Takeaways
- Baldoni’s deposition adds vivid color to the parties’ working relationship
- The “Buckingham Palace” nickname underscores Lively’s alleged preference for home-based meetings
- With the trial still months away, both sides continue to litigate through court filings and public statements
