Justin Baldoni made a rare public appearance at Dancing With the Stars on October 13, 2026, attending the popular dance competition with his wife, Emily Baldoni, and their two children. The outing brought the actor back into the public eye following his widely reported legal dispute with It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively.
According to entertainment reports, Baldoni and his family watched the performances from the audience during the ABC show’s latest episode. Their appearance also highlighted his longtime friendship with co-host Julianne Hough.
The visit comes months after Baldoni and Lively reached a settlement in their legal dispute, which began with allegations connected to the production of their 2024 film.
Justin Baldoni Watches Dancing With the Stars With His Family
Baldoni, 42, attended the show alongside Emily and their children, Maiya, 11, and Maxwell, 8.
The family was seen cheering from the audience after Maura Higgins and professional dancer Mark Ballas performed the opening routine of the evening.
Although Baldoni is known for his work as an actor, director, and producer, he has attracted considerable attention for his personal life and legal controversy in recent years.
His appearance at Dancing With the Stars offered a glimpse of a family outing away from the courtroom headlines that surrounded him and Lively.
There was no announcement of a new television role or upcoming project during the appearance. Instead, the visit was connected to Baldoni’s friendship with Hough.
Why Was Justin Baldoni at Dancing With the Stars?
Baldoni has a longstanding connection with Julianne Hough, one of the show’s co-hosts.
The pair previously worked together on My Last Days, a documentary series that explores the lives and experiences of people facing life-limiting illnesses. Their professional connection dates back several years.
Baldoni’s attendance was therefore linked to a personal friendship rather than a reported new role in the dance competition.
The appearance also placed him in a familiar entertainment setting after an extended period dominated by legal developments and public discussion surrounding It Ends With Us.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s Legal Dispute Explained
Baldoni’s public appearance comes after a high-profile legal dispute involving Lively, his co-star in the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
The controversy became public in December 2024, when Lively filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment and retaliation related to the film’s production. She also alleged that Baldoni and people associated with his production company, Wayfarer Studios, had participated in efforts to damage her reputation.
Baldoni denied the allegations. He and other parties also brought legal claims against Lively and others, disputing her account and alleging wrongdoing.
The dispute expanded into multiple court proceedings, attracting extensive media coverage and public debate about workplace conduct, retaliation claims, and the use of public relations during legal conflicts.
However, the allegations and counterclaims were disputed, and the parties presented different accounts of what happened.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Reach a Settlement
On May 4, 2026, Baldoni and Lively reached a settlement in their legal dispute before a scheduled civil trial. Their legal teams announced the agreement in a joint statement.
The statement expressed hope that the resolution would allow those involved to move forward constructively. The settlement terms were not publicly disclosed in the announcement.
The agreement followed months of legal developments, including the dismissal of Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit against Lively and others in June 2025.
The settlement resolved the central civil dispute without a trial determining the remaining contested allegations. It should not be interpreted as a court finding that either side’s disputed claims were proven.
Reuters and The Associated Press reported on the May 2026 settlement.
Baldoni Previously Addressed His Family’s Difficult Period
In July 2026, Baldoni and Emily spoke about their experience in a video shared on Instagram.
Baldoni explained that they had largely avoided speaking publicly during the preceding period because they wanted to let the legal process run its course. He also discussed the importance of healing and reassessing what mattered most to their family.
His comments offered a personal perspective on the challenges they had experienced during the prolonged dispute.
The couple’s appearance together at Dancing With the Stars provides another public glimpse of their family life. However, it remains unclear whether Baldoni plans to make more frequent public appearances or announce new professional projects.
What Is Next for Justin Baldoni?
Baldoni’s appearance at Dancing With the Stars has renewed interest in his life after the legal battle.
The actor became widely known for playing Rafael Solano in the television series Jane the Virgin. He has also worked as a director and producer, including on Five Feet Apart and It Ends With Us.
For now, his visit to the dance competition does not confirm a return to acting or indicate a new project.
Still, the appearance marks a notable public outing with his family after a challenging period of legal scrutiny. Fans may continue watching for updates about his professional activities as he moves forward from the dispute.