Blake lively shocking legal battle with youtuber: intimidation claims escalate! Blake lively, the beloved gossip girl star, finds herself at the center of a heated legal storm involving a YouTuber who accuses her of intimidation. The ongoing dispute, tied to Lively’s lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, has taken a dramatic turn as YouTuber Lauren Neidigh, known as LethalLauren904, seeks a protective order against the actress.
Despite Lively recently withdrawing subpoenas targeting Neidigh and other creators, the controversy continues to spark debate over free speech and celebrity influence. Here’s a closer look at the unfolding drama.
A Legal Clash with a YouTuber
The legal saga began when Lively, 37, filed a lawsuit against actor-director Justin Baldoni, alleging misconduct during the production of their 2024 film It Ends With Us. As part of the case, Lively’s legal team issued subpoenas to several journalists and online creators, seeking private information.
Among those targeted was Lauren Neidigh, a Florida-based YouTuber who has been vocal about her unfavorable views on Lively. According to a Daily Mail report on August 2, 2025, Neidigh has now asked a judge for a protective order, claiming Lively’s actions were meant to intimidate and silence her.
In a letter to the court, Neidigh argued that Lively’s subpoena was a deliberate attempt to “harass, chill constitutionally protected free speech, and threaten the safety and privacy” of creators not involved in the lawsuit. She emphasized that the subpoena lacked evidence to justify accessing her personal data, calling it an overreach by Lively’s team.
Allegations of Intimidation
Neidigh’s filing paints a troubling picture of Lively’s legal strategy. The YouTuber alleged that the actress’s team was “largely unresponsive” when asked to explain how her personal information was relevant to the Baldoni case.
Even after Lively withdrew the subpoena over the weekend, Neidigh expressed ongoing fears that the actress could refile similar requests in the future. “There is still an ongoing threat of further abusive discovery requests,” she wrote, warning that such tactics could be used to intimidate her for exercising her First Amendment rights.
The controversy has drawn attention to the broader implications of celebrities using legal tools to target online critics. Neidigh’s letter highlighted that Lively’s subpoena specifically targeted creators who had expressed negative opinions about her, raising questions about whether the actress was attempting to suppress free speech. This claim has resonated with online communities, where discussions about the case have gained traction on platforms like YouTube and X.
Lively’s Legal Backtrack
Lively’s decision to rescind the subpoenas targeting Neidigh and two other independent creators was a significant development, but it has not quelled the controversy. The actress, who also served as a producer on It Ends With Us, has not publicly commented on Neidigh’s allegations.
However, her legal team’s move to withdraw the subpoenas suggests an attempt to de-escalate the situation amid growing backlash. Despite this, Neidigh remains steadfast, arguing that the threat of future legal action looms large.
The dispute stems from Lively’s broader legal battle with Baldoni, which centers on allegations of a toxic work environment during the film’s production. While the details of their conflict remain under wraps, the inclusion of online creators in the case has added a new layer of complexity, drawing scrutiny to Lively’s approach.
Implications for Free Speech
Neidigh’s push for a protective order underscores a growing tension between public figures and online commentators. Her case highlights the potential for legal actions to be perceived as attempts to silence critics, particularly when directed at independent creators with limited resources to fight back. The controversy has sparked debates about the balance between protecting personal privacy and preserving free expression, especially in the digital age where social media amplifies public discourse.
As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes are on the court’s response to Neidigh’s request and whether Lively’s team will pursue further action. For now, the Gossip Girl star faces a public relations challenge as she navigates this high-profile clash with a determined YouTuber fighting to protect her voice.
