Justin Baldoni has opened up about his "intense year" in a newly released interview that was recorded in November 2024, a month before his legal battle with Blake Lively began. The actor and director appeared visibly emotional in a teaser clip for his upcoming appearance on the "Gent's Talk" podcast, where he discussed the emotional toll of recent events. Baldoni, 40, became tearful as he reflected on a particularly challenging period in his life. "I had an intense year," he says in the sneak peek. "This morning I sent a text message. I had anxiety. I haven't talked about this yet." The context of these conversations is yet to be revealed, but it is clear that the legal battle with Lively has had a significant impact on him. The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively began when Lively, 37, filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni has strongly denied these allegations and has filed a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times for its coverage. He also filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist on January 16. Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, has expressed that the legal battles have significantly affected the actor financially and emotionally. The trial between Baldoni and Lively is scheduled for May 2026. The full interview with Baldoni is scheduled to air on February 10, providing more insight into his emotional struggles during this intense year.

The situation highlights the challenges of dealing with public allegations and the emotional toll they can take on individuals. Baldoni's efforts to clear his name, including releasing raw footage from the "It Ends With Us" set and launching a website featuring text message exchanges between himself and Lively, demonstrate the lengths to which he is willing to go to defend himself against these allegations.