Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, the stars of the successful film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel "It Ends With Us," are embroiled in legal turmoil, with each accusing the other of serious misconduct and misbehavior. The core of the controversy began when Lively alleged sexual harassment and claimed Baldoni orchestrated efforts to discredit her following the film's release.
Lively, who has garnered support from various figures within the entertainment industry, filed her lawsuit first, asserting Baldoni engaged in "sexually inappropriate behavior" on set and later coordinated a smear campaign against her. Citing emotional distress caused by the negative online backlash, she stated her reputation suffered significantly as her claims became fueled by the attempts to undermine her.
Brandon Sklenar, Lively's co-star, publicly sided with her, urging his followers to read the full legal filing she submitted. He expressed admiration for Lively, stating, "For the love of god read this," highlighting her courage amid the backlash. Meanwhile, Colleen Hoover, who was also involved as both the author and executive producer, praised Lively for her honesty and kindness via her own social media platforms.
Baldoni, who directed and starred alongside Lively, has vehemently denied all allegations thrown at him. His lawyer, Bryan Freedman, labeled Lively's claims as "shameful" and part of a desperate attempt to revive her public image from the fallout of prior press and promotional activities surrounding the film. He argues the accusations lack merit and have been intentionally created to damage Baldoni's reputation.
The legal battle escalated when Baldoni's attorney confirmed plans for him to countersue Lively, claiming he aims to expose new text messages purportedly exchanged between the two actors. Freedman announced, "I am more than willing to take every single text message...lay them out, put them on a website for the world to see," implying they could clarify the truth behind the allegations.
The release of "It Ends With Us," which debuted August of last year, was seen as both critically and commercially successful, grossing over $350 million worldwide. The movie centered on themes of domestic abuse, so the revelations from the lead stars added layers of complexity to its reception and promotion.
Support for Lively has poured in, particularly from her former co-stars from projects like "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," as well as various celebrities who have shared their own experiences with harassment and retaliation. Notably, actress Amber Heard publicly condemned the social media campaigns against Lively, asserting they mirror her own painful experiences, highlighting the desperate need for accountability and change within the industry.
Despite the support, Baldoni's camp has vehemently defended the director's conduct on set, emphasizing his commitment to women's narratives and rights through various projects and initiatives over the years, including his podcast "Man Enough." They argue the claims made by Lively are not just false but are also part of a narrative targeting his established career and reputation.
The fallout from this legal dispute has restarted conversations about the previously established progress following the #MeToo movement, highlighting the continued struggles to achieve real change within Hollywood. With both parties preparing for prolonged legal battles, the outcome will bear significant consequences not just for Lively and Baldoni, but for the broader discourse surrounding workplace safety and harassment.
It remains to be seen how these allegations will play out legally and what the potential impacts will be on both Lively's and Baldoni's careers moving forward. Hollywood’s stakeholders and audiences are watching closely, as this case stands to reflect the risks and responsibilities involved with narrative accountability and the treatment of individuals within the industry.