A federal judge has ordered Jamey Heath, producer of It Ends With Us, to turn over all footage of his wife Natasha’s childbirth in Blake Lively’s ongoing lawsuit. Blake Lively’s request to block Heath from offering evidence or testimony about the video was denied. The ruling follows a prior discovery order and confirms that the video “should have been produced,” though it will remain sealed under a protective order. Heath must also cover Lively’s attorneys’ fees related to the motion.
United States District Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled on November 17 that Heath must provide all childbirth footage, stating that it “would tend to support Lively’s claim.” The judge noted that Heath misread the previous discovery order but determined this was not willful defiance. Blake Lively, 38, had argued that only a short excerpt of the video had been released, which she claimed did not match what was shown on the It Ends With Us set. The case centers on Lively’s allegations that Heath showed her and her assistant a fully nude video of Natasha giving birth without warning.
Judge Liman wrote, “Sanctions are not warranted here,” while emphasizing that Heath must comply with the discovery order by November 20. Lively’s legal team highlighted that the additional footage could confirm discrepancies in Heath’s prior claims. In response, Heath and Wayfarer parties maintain that Lively saw only the opening frame of what they describe as a “beautiful” home-birth video shared with Natasha’s consent. Director Justin Baldoni’s legal team called Lively’s characterization of the footage as porn “deplorable.”
The ruling could have significant implications for the $160 million lawsuit Lively filed against Heath and Baldoni, potentially bolstering her claims of “disturbing” and “unprofessional” conduct on set. The decision also emphasizes judicial enforcement of discovery orders in high-profile cases, ensuring that evidence is fully disclosed prior to trial. Heath’s compliance will affect pre-trial preparations and may influence negotiations or settlement discussions.
The trial is scheduled for March 2026, and Heath must provide the full video by November 20 under the protective order. Baldoni and co-defendants previously requested a ruling in their favor without trial; that decision is still pending. The video’s release could play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative for the upcoming court proceedings.
Paul Weller has been announced as the final headline act for this summer’s Ludlow Castle…
Actor Michael Sheen is set to front a new BBC documentary exploring claims of chemical…
Quinton Aaron, best known for portraying NFL star Michael Oher in the Oscar-nominated film The…
HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is carving out its own identity within the…
BBC Radio Guernsey presenter John Randall has died at the age of 68 following a…
The hit BBC reality series The Traitors is making a bold leap from television to…