Blake Lively’s shocking claims against Justin Baldoni exposed.
Blake Lively has launched a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, accusing him of s*xual harassment and a deliberate smear campaign.
How Hollywood got here.
This isn’t the first time a high-profile set has faced allegations of toxic work environments or unprofessional conduct.
Hollywood has been under scrutiny since the #MeToo movement, with stars like Lively vocal about improving workplace conditions.
Baldoni, known for his work on Jane the Virgin, has publicly advocated for gender equality and respect in the past.
His reputation as a “woke” filmmaker now contrasts starkly with the accusations brought by Lively.
Speculation around It Ends With Us confirmed.
The It Ends With Us adaptation, highly anticipated due to Hoover’s fandom, became embroiled in controversy long before its release.
Fans of the film had previously speculated about tension between the co-stars.
Speculation of a feud started when promotional interviews noticeably excluded any direct interaction between Lively and Baldoni.
Insiders revealed tensions peaked during filming breaks caused by the writer’s strike, with Lively expressing concerns about a hostile work environment.
Overview of Lively’s lawsuit revealed.
The legal battle, which surfaced on December 21, has left Hollywood reeling, with shocking allegations being revealed.
Lively, 37, claims Baldoni, 40, crossed professional boundaries repeatedly during the production of the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
The lawsuit also names producer Jamey Heath, Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, and co-founder Steve Sarowitz, alleging they were complicit in a broader “social manipulation” scheme.
Baldoni’s lawyer’s defence detailed.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has dismissed the allegations as “categorically false” and a ploy to tarnish his client’s reputation.
Baldoni’s lawyer has maintained the actor’s innocence, calling Lively’s claims a “desperate attempt to control public opinion.”
Lively, however, is doubling down, claiming her legal action is about exposing harmful industry practices.
“I hope this lawsuit shines a light on sinister retaliatory tactics used to harm those who speak out,” Lively told The New York Times.
The allegations have triggered a firestorm, with Baldoni’s camp accusing Lively of trying to “fix her reputation” with the lawsuit.
Important January 2024 meeting uncovered.
A pivotal meeting in January 2024 reportedly brought Lively’s complaints to the forefront.
In the meeting, attended by Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds, Baldoni and producers were presented with 30 specific grievances.
Reynolds, who has been an outspoken advocate for his wife, allegedly demanded immediate changes to the production’s work environment.
Controversial scenes and improvised intimacy profiled.
One of the more damning claims involves Baldoni allegedly altering the script after Lively signed on, adding graphic and gratuitous content.
The lawsuit cites specific scenes, including one where Lively’s character was scripted to do questionable things on camera which she strongly opposed.
Lively alleges Baldoni improvised intimate scenes without rehearsal or an intimacy coordinator’s supervision, breaching professional standards.
Wayfarer Studios reportedly implemented guidelines after the fact, agreeing to stricter boundaries and no further improvisation of intimate moments.
Weight, personal attacks, and crossing lines.
Lively’s lawsuit alleges Baldoni criticized her weight post-pregnancy, even contacting her trainer to impose unrealistic expectations.
In a chilling twist, Baldoni allegedly claimed to “speak to the dead,” referencing Lively’s recently deceased father, Ernie Lively, during on-set conversations.
Heath, another defendant, is accused of showing an unsolicited video of his wife in labor to Lively and her assistant.
Smear campaign allegations disclosed.
Lively claims a targeted smear campaign followed her complaints, with Baldoni’s team allegedly conspiring to “destroy” her reputation.
Subpoenas revealed texts between Baldoni’s team and PR professionals, with one message stating they wanted to make Lively feel like “she can be buried.”
Another text allegedly showed Baldoni instructing his team to only release footage of him discussing DV to improve his public image.
Outcome of public lawsuit looms.
The lawsuit paints a damning picture of an alleged culture of intimidation, harassment, and boundary violations on set.
As legal proceedings unfold, fans and critics alike are left questioning whether the truth will emerge—and what it means for the future of the film.