Las Vegas-based gossip blogger Perez Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., found himself at the center of a legal squabble this week, as he appeared in federal court facing a subpoena from actress Blake Lively. Known for his candid takes on celebrity lives, Hilton is being asked to release documents related to Lively in a growing feud that includes allegations of a smear campaign. With his legal woes mounting, Hilton argued on Thursday for the court to respect Nevada's robust shield laws, which offer broad protections to journalists.
At the heart of the issue, Hilton has become entangled in the case between Blake Lively and "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni, where Lively has accused Baldoni and his company Wayfarer Studios of sexual harassment and retaliation, as per a report from NewsNation originally obtained by 8 News Now. Lively alleges that following her claims of misconduct, a "press and digital plan" was set out by Baldoni and his team to tarnish her reputation, spurring the current legal battle.
Representing himself due to what he termed "expensive legal fees," Hilton expressed his concerns in court, claiming his lack of involvement in any alleged smear campaign against Lively. "I was not paid by anyone to speak negatively about Blake Lively, I was not told to speak negatively about her, I was not promised any favors or discounts or anything," Hilton explained in a statement obtained by News 3 LV. The issue of transferring the case to a New York judge is on the table, with Hilton pushing back due to concerns over potential bias and implications for Nevada's shield laws.
Hilton, voicing apprehension over the safety of his children as a single father of three, cited an alleged arson attack on Wayfarer cofounder Steve Sarowitz, also named in the lawsuit, to underline the real-life stakes at play. "It wasn't me being this gossip blogger, this celebrity reporter that's being dramatic. No, it was a real risk that as a good father I tried to mitigate," Hilton told News 3 LV. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Boulware is expected to make a decision on whether the case will remain under Nevada's jurisdiction or move to New York, a move Hilton is prepared to appeal.
The lawsuit has beefed up legal proceedings, with Blake Lively's team led by DC-based attorney Meryl Governski, and a trial between Lively and Baldoni is scheduled for March 2026, as indicated by a NewsNation report. The judge's impending decision could set a notable precedent for the protection of journalists' confidential sources, particularly in the state of Nevada.
