Jane the Virgin Stars Rally Behind Justin Baldoni as Blake Lively Pushes for an $8 Million Payout
Show of support.
Jane the Virgin stars Gina Rodriguez and Brett Dier just publicly backed Justin Baldoni as his legal battle with Blake Lively continues to stir drama. According to Reality Tea, the support arrived after Baldoni and his wife, Emily, shared an emotional Instagram video addressing the toll of the ongoing dispute, which recently saw Lively push for an $8 million payout tied to attorneys’ fees.
In the video, Baldoni explained why he and Emily had stayed quiet for much of the past two years. They wanted to let the justice system “run its course” instead of adding to “the noise.” Rodriguez responded in the comments with a heartfelt message, writing, “Love you friends. Por vida.” Dier also chimed in, saying, “I love you guys.”
Rodriguez and Baldoni go way back, sharing a bond that started on the set of Jane the Virgin. Rodriguez played Jane Villanueva, while Baldoni starred as Rafael Solano, her onscreen love interest and the father of her baby. Their chemistry was undeniable, both on and off camera. Dier, who played Michael Cordero Jr., rounded out the show’s central love triangle, making their connection even stronger.
Rodriguez and Baldoni’s friendship goes back years
In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, Rodriguez called Baldoni her “brother forever” and said he was the Jane the Virgin cast member she stayed in touch with the most. Baldoni echoed those sentiments, calling her a “sweetheart” and “family forever.” He even joked that he’d love to work with her again, preferably in a project she directs, since she’s “a fantastic director” and “a real filmmaker.”
Their history together is packed with moments that prove their friendship runs deep. According to Us Weekly, back in 2019, Baldoni took to Instagram to praise Rodriguez as a scene partner, calling her a “warrior” who never showed how tired she was, even after 14-hour days on set. He gushed about her talent, work ethic, and the way she treated everyone with respect, no matter how stressed or overworked she was. “She is nothing short of a superhero,” he said.
Rodriguez wasn’t shy about returning the love. In 2015, she shared a sweet selfie with Baldoni, captioning it, “Me and TV baby daddy. Days with @justinbaldoni are awesome.” Their playful dynamic was a staple of their friendship, whether they were making silly faces on set or preparing for the Jane the Virgin finale.
When the show wrapped in 2019, Rodriguez wrote that Jane’s journey would never end because of the friendships it created. Baldoni agreed, posting, “If you have to work late on a Friday away from family … it helps when it’s with your friends. Love my TV baby Mamma.”
When Rodriguez married Joe LoCicero in 2019, Baldoni officiated the ceremony, a role she described as coming from her “soul brother.”
The legal dispute between Baldoni and Lively has been messy, to say the least
It all started in late 2024 when Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging he created a “hostile work environment” on the set of It Ends With Us. She claimed the experience caused her “severe emotional distress” and accused Baldoni of ignoring industry protocols during intimate scenes.
Baldoni’s legal team quickly denied the allegations, calling them “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.” His lawyer, Bryan Freedman, suggested Lively filed the lawsuit to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” about the film’s production.
Baldoni’s studio fired back with a lawsuit of its own, targeting Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane. The suit sought $400 million in damages, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, and false light invasion of privacy.
The legal battle dragged on for nearly two years before reaching a settlement in May 2026. But the drama didn’t end there. Lively later pushed for more than $8 million in attorneys’ fees tied to Baldoni’s dismissed counterclaim, keeping the feud alive.
For Baldoni, the past two years have been a whirlwind
In his Instagram video, he and Emily opened up about the emotional toll of the legal battle, explaining why they chose to stay quiet. “We wanted to let the justice system run its course,” he said. It’s clear the ordeal has been draining, but having friends like Rodriguez and Dier step up to show their support must be a relief.
Rodriguez and Dier’s public backing isn’t just a gesture. It’s a reminder of the strong bonds formed on the set of Jane the Virgin. While the show ended in 2019, the friendships it created have lasted. Rodriguez and Baldoni’s connection, in particular, has been a constant source of support for both of them.
(Featured image: © The CW and Warner Bros. Television)
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