Blake Lively has launched a legal battle against Justin Baldoni, accusing the actor-director of inappropriate conduct and defamation related to their 2024 film, It Ends With Us. What was initially thought to be a PR strategy to promote the film turned out to be an 80-page complaint.
Lively has alleged sexual harassment, including unwanted kisses and sexual comments, during filming. He also claims that when he refused to listen to Baldoni he attempted to tarnish his reputation. Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, deny the allegations.
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Justin Baldoni’s lawyer denies the allegations
Lively’s lawsuit not only targets director Justin Baldoni, but also key people in her production company and individuals allegedly involved in the defamation campaign against her. This includes the film’s lead producer, Jamie Heath, Wayfarer co-owner Steve Sarowitz, and many others. According to Entertainment Weekly, Baldoni’s attorney, Brian Friedman, vehemently denies Lively’s allegations and calls them “false, defamatory and intentionally scandalous.”
Friedman claims that the actress also failed to arrive on set and caused disruptions during shooting, which ultimately led to the film’s underperformance, including “threatening not to come to the set, threatening not to promote the film, ultimately It died during release”. ,
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Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of harassment and retaliation
The Gossip Girl star’s complaint alleges that Justin Baldoni, along with producer Jamie Heath and Wayfarer Studios, “created a toxic workplace, ignored harassment complaints and failed to protect the cast and crew.” The document also claims that Baldoni hired a PR firm to plan a retaliation strategy before the potential allegations became public.
Baldoni added unapproved sexual content after signing
According to a complaint copy obtained by People, Baldoni inserted sexually explicit and nude scenes, including one involving an underage character, without Lively’s consent. It included an elaborate “virginity loss scene and an orgasm scene” that was not in the original novel.
Information about Lively’s personal life
Baldoni allegedly asked inappropriate questions about Lively’s personal sexual experiences with her husband, which she found offensive and refused to discuss.
Intimate scenes were redacted without consent
According to the filing, during filming, Baldoni improvised physical intimacy without any prior discussion or choreography. It included a kissing scene and a slow dance moment. According to People, one such instance outlined in the complaint claims Baldoni “carefully bit and sucked Ms. Lively’s lower lip during a scene in which he planted multiple kisses on each take.” He later “insisted” on shooting “repeatedly”.
intrusive behavior
Both Baldoni and producer Jamie Heath “repeatedly entered Lively’s trailer uninvited while she was undressing or breastfeeding her child.” Baldoni and Heath pressured Lively to simulate full nudity during the birth scene, despite there being no prior agreement in the script or contract. Producer Jamie Heath allegedly showed a graphic, fully nude video of Lively and her assistant giving birth to a child without his wife’s consent.
derogatory comments
Baldoni reportedly criticized Lively’s age and weight after childbirth, even contacting her trainer to pressure her into rapid weight loss. He “often” called women “sexy” in the workplace. A list of 30 protections was implemented to combat hostile work environments.
smear campaign
Prior to the film’s release, Baldoni reportedly launched a smear campaign against Lively out of fear that she might speak out about her experiences.
Lively hopes her legal action will “pull back the curtain on these appalling retaliatory tactics” and protect others who speak out about misconduct.
