Washington: Blake Lively has taken legal action against her ‘It Ends With Us’ co-star and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and causing “severe emotional distress”.
The lawsuit comes months after rumors of tension on the set of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel, TMZ reports.
The lawsuit, filed by Lively, 37, outlines several claims about Baldoni’s alleged behavior during production.
According to TMZ, the actress cited incidents including inappropriate comments about weight to her and other cast members, discussion of sexual topics, and references to Baldoni’s “addiction to pornography.” She also alleged that Baldoni showed her explicit photos and made comments about the cast and crew’s genitals.
The lawsuit further claims that Lively demanded certain boundaries during a meeting that included several celebrities, including her husband Ryan Reynolds. According to the lawsuit cited by TMZ, demands addressed at the meeting included “no longer showing Blake nude videos or pictures,” “no adding any sex scenes outside of the approved script” and “no further comments about Blake’s late father.” Do” was included.
According to TMZ, the film’s distributor Sony Pictures approved Lively’s request. However, she alleged in the lawsuit that Baldoni later launched a “social manipulation” campaign to damage her reputation.
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s attorney Brian Friedman responded to the lawsuit in a statement to People, calling Lively’s allegations “false, defamatory, and intentionally scandalous.”
Friedman also accused Lively of being “difficult” on set, claiming that she threatened not to show up to shoot or promote the film, allegedly affecting its release.
Representatives for Lively, Baldoni and Sony have not commented on the allegations.
The film ‘It End’s With Us’ tells the story of Lily, played by Lively, who falls in love with Ryle, played by Baldoni, but later discovers that he is abusive.
The film traces her emotional journey as her first love reappears and her life is thrown into turmoil.
