Justin Baldoni Relaxing on The Beach as Legal Mess Fuels New Attention
Justin Baldoni spent his 42nd birthday far away from courtrooms and headlines. According to reports and photos shared this week, the actor and director traveled to Costa Rica with his family and was seen surfing and relaxing on the beach.
The birthday trip took place on Sunday, January 24. While his lawyers prepare for an upcoming legal battle in New York, Baldoni appeared calm and carefree in the water. Wearing only swim trunks, he carried a surfboard into the Pacific and spent time riding waves under the sun.
People who saw him said he looked completely relaxed. One report described the scene by saying, The guy looked totally carefree, soaking up the beach life and riding those killer waves like he didn’t have a worry in the world.
👀 Justin Baldoni is seen surfing in Costa Rica on his birthday trip amid the legal mess. https://t.co/z4GnIzTb4X
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 26, 2026
🎥: BACKGRID pic.twitter.com/IUAVlrrKNg
The timing of the trip stood out. Baldoni is currently involved in a heated legal dispute with Blake Lively, his former co-star from It Ends with Us. Court filings made public last week revealed private messages connected to the case, including a text that was allegedly sent by Taylor Swift to Lively and referenced Baldoni in harsh terms. The documents have added new fuel to an already intense situation.
Despite the headlines, Baldoni seemed focused on family and taking a break. The civil trial between Baldoni and Lively is scheduled to begin on May 18, according to court records.
Over the same weekend, Baldoni’s parents also shared messages of support. His father, Sam Baldoni, posted online and described the past year as a time of struggle for his son. He referred to it as a year filled with turmoil and injustice. Baldoni’s mother, Sharon, thanked supporters who have rallied behind him online and mentioned the growing Justice for Justin movement.
Baldoni himself has stayed mostly quiet during the legal fight. He has not commented publicly on the latest court developments and has allowed his legal team and family to speak on his behalf.
The actor first became widely known for his role as Rafael on the CW series Jane the Virgin. In recent years, he has focused more on directing and producing through Wayfarer Studios, the company he co-founded. His most recent film, It Ends with Us, based on the Colleen Hoover novel, was a major box office success in 2024 despite controversy during its release.
Baldoni remains active behind the scenes. He is currently an executive producer on Eleanor the Great, which marks Scarlett Johansson’s first time directing a feature film. He is also involved in developing several other projects planned for release in 2026.
For now, Baldoni appears to be taking things one day at a time. While the legal fight looms, his birthday getaway suggests he is choosing moments of calm before returning to a very public courtroom battle.
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