Celebrity Chats Under Lock and Key

In the middle of a high-profile court battle, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are asking for extra protection for their private messages with famous friends. They're worried that Justin Baldoni's team might leak these chats to the media. The couple is concerned that even if these messages aren't directly related to the case, they could still cause harm if they get out. This is because the people involved in the case have connections to the media and could benefit from leaking information. The couple's lawyer, Meryl Conant Governski, wants a special protection order for these messages. This order would keep the messages hidden from everyone except the lawyers involved. They also want to keep details about their mental health and security measures private. The lawyer believes that Baldoni's team, which includes people who make a living by providing information to the press, could leak these details. Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, thinks this extra protection is unnecessary. He believes that the current protective order is enough to keep sensitive information private. Freedman also thinks that treating celebrity messages differently from others is unfair. He argues that his clients have the right to defend themselves and that the current setup is not meant to harm Lively. The judge, Lewis Liman, didn't make a decision right away. He acknowledged that the case has attracted a lot of public interest. He also noted that the existing protective order already prevents third parties from leaking information. Anyone who leaks information could face consequences, including fines or even jail time. Lively, 37, sued Baldoni, 41, in December for $250 million. She claims he sexually harassed her while filming a drama and launched a smear campaign when she spoke out. Baldoni has denied these accusations and countersued Lively and Reynolds for $400 million, alleging defamation and extortion. The trial for this case is scheduled for March 2026. This legal battle has brought up questions about privacy and the power of celebrity connections. It's a reminder that even private messages can become public in the wrong hands.