Entertainment
Ryan Reynolds Fights $400M Defamation Lawsuit From Justin Baldoni
In a high-profile legal battle, actor Ryan Reynolds is seeking dismissal from a $400 million defamation lawsuit filed by fellow actor and director Justin Baldoni. The dispute originates from allegations by Reynolds’ wife, actress Blake Lively, who accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the production of the film “It Ends With Us.”
The controversy began in December 2024 when Lively filed a civil rights complaint against Baldoni, alleging repeated sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour on set.
She claimed that after raising these concerns, Baldoni and his associates initiated a campaign to tarnish her reputation.
In response, Baldoni filed a counter-lawsuit in January 2025, accusing Lively and Reynolds of defamation, civil extortion, and invasion of privacy.
He alleged that the couple attempted to “hijack” the film and destroy his career. Baldoni’s lawsuit also named Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, and her firm, Vision PR Inc., as defendants.
Also, Reynolds’ legal team recently filed a motion to dismiss the defamation claims against him. They argue that referring to Baldoni as a “predator” constitutes a protected opinion under the First Amendment.
The motion asserts that there is no evidence suggesting Reynolds did not believe his statement to be true, and therefore, it does not meet the criteria for defamation.
Furthermore, Reynolds’ attorneys contend that Baldoni’s allegations about a character named “Nicepool” in Reynolds’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” film, purportedly mocking Baldoni, do not amount to legal harm but rather “hurt feelings.” They emphasize that Reynolds’ involvement in the matter stems solely from his role as a supportive spouse to Lively.
Baldoni’s legal team disputes Reynolds’ motion, asserting that Reynolds was actively involved in a smear campaign against Baldoni.
Additionally, Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, criticized Reynolds for attempting to “run from the flames” by seeking dismissal from the lawsuit. Freedman maintains that the claims against Reynolds are serious and that he must be held accountable for his actions.
The long-awaited trial in the murder case of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur has reached a major development, with Duane “Keffe D” Davis sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on October 13, 2026.
Davis was convicted of first-degree murder in August 2026 for his role in orchestrating the 1996 killing. Tupac was shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, and died six days later.
During the sentencing, the judge addressed Davis, rejecting his claims that he had changed his life and moved on from his past. “Mr. Davis, for three years, I’ve heard you say some variation of the same thing to law enforcement, [in interviews], in your book, and it’s something like, ‘Yeah, I was involved in this, but I’m different. I’ve moved on. I got out of Compton. I’m a grandfather now.’ I’m here to tell you that’s not how this works,” the judge said.
She continued “You don’t get to take a man from his family. You don’t get to take his very life, his whole future from him, and just walk away from it. Especially when that man is Tupac Shakur.
“The world never forgot about him and his death, and neither did Las Vegas. It took us 30 years, but at this time, you are going to face justice for what you did on Sept. 7, 1996.”
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on how his perception of YouTube movies has changed over the years. The actor recalled that there was a time when he looked down on movies released on YouTube.
However, he now appreciates the opportunities they have provided for his career and joked that he might have struggled financially if he had continued to dismiss them.
Sharing his thoughts in a post on X, Egbuson wrote “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point. Hunger go don kpai me by now.”
Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has advised young people who are still living with their parents not to rush into moving out because of peer pressure.
The singer encouraged young people to focus on their personal circumstances rather than compare their lives with those of others. He noted that there is no need to leave their parents’ homes simply because they want to feel independent.
Sharing his advice, Dakolo said “No hurry, leave your papa house because of peer pressure. Forget all that, ‘I don’t have my freedom here.’”
Judge Tells Duane Davis He Must Face Justice for Tupac’s Murder
Timini Egbuson Reflects on Embracing YouTube Movies in Nollywood
