Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have reached a settlement in their legal dispute linked to the movie It Ends With Us, ending proceedings two weeks before a trial due to begin on 18 May. A federal judge had already dismissed 10 of 13 claims, including sexual harassment, defamation, and civil conspiracy, leaving claims for retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract, to proceed.
A joint statement released on 4 May refers to workplace standards and the film’s impact. No further details of the settlement have been made public, and both parties issued the same wording.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
Cute dogs and Lion King jokes spark million dollar lawsuits
30-04-2026 | 24 Min.
A small magazine with dogs in designer clothing on its covers finds itself up against Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue, in a trademark dispute over name. Both sides are defending the right to use the name ‘Dogue’. A separate case carries a $27m claim after a comedian’s take on The Lion King’s opening lyrics went viral. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Digital Video Producer: Daniel Raza Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producers: Nicky Edwards and Mark Burrows Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
D4vd charged with murder after Celeste Rivas Hernandez case update
21-04-2026 | 23 Min.
D4vd, real name David Burke, has been charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and the unlawful mutilation of remains after the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors say the charges include special circumstances, and Burke has entered a not guilty plea. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and our resident trial attorney Shaun Kent look at what the charges mean and why the case took months to reach arrest and charge. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
Blake Lively v Justin Baldoni: trial evidence battle and what the jury may not hear
16-04-2026 | 29 Min.
Motions in limine reveal competing attempts to restrict evidence in the Lively–Baldoni case, including challenges to witness testimony, viral material and past controversies. Legal arguments focus on whether the material informs the claim of retaliation, or risks biasing a jury. Our resident trial attorney Shaun Kent explains how evidentiary rules shape what may ultimately be presented in court. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Impact Producer: Daniel Raza Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Cameron Ward Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Deadpool and Wolverine/Marvel Studios/Shawn Levy E Online article/Jennifer Cady NBC article/Gwen Aviles Vox article/Alex Abad-Santos
Has Blake Lively really “lost” the case against Justin Baldoni?
09-04-2026 | 25 Min.
A judge has thrown out several claims in Blake Lively’s lawsuit connected to the movie It Ends With Us. The decision is based on legal thresholds around where events took place and how her role was classified. Retaliation remains part of the case, based on alleged actions following complaints about working conditions. The court has allowed those claims to proceed. Both sides deny any wrongdoing. Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty talks to trial attorney Shaun Kent about the summary judgement. Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Louise Clarke Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Clare Fordham Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
Celebrities, athletes, politicians, influencers and even royalty can all land in the firing line.Why does it matter? Because we invest in them.We give them space in our homes, our budgets, our feeds, and sometimes, our hearts.
We put them on pedestals. So when they fall, we want the truth.
But in an age of AI-generated "evidence", misinformation, and unqualified newsfluencers, separating fact from fiction is a full-time job.
Hot on the heels of covering the Diddy trial, Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is up for the challenge.
Each week on Fame Under Fire, she'll take a detailed look at the topics dominating the headlines. With the help of expert guests, she'll myth bust, debunk, pre-bunk, fact check and get to the truth behind the timeline.
Got questions? We've got answers.
Subscribe to Fame Under Fire on BBC Sounds and turn on push notifications so you never miss an episode. We'll let you know as soon as new episodes are available.
Netherlands