Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are currently embroiled in a tumultuous legal dispute stemming from their collaboration on the film It Ends With Us. The conflict began when Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni on December 31, 2024, which has since escalated to multiple counterclaims including defamation and significant financial disagreements.
The trouble reportedly began when Lively accused Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment on set, detailing instances of alleged sexual harassment and emotional distress. According to her lawsuit, Baldoni “routinely degraded” her, even going so far as to contact her fitness trainer without her permission to discuss her weight. "A few weeks before filming began...I was humiliated to learn (Justin) secretly called her fitness trainer," Lively’s legal complaint stated.
Baldoni, who not only starred alongside Lively but also directed the film, filed his own $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, alleging defamation and extortion. His allegations include claims of financial mismanagement related to the film's wardrobe budget, which spiked alarmingly from the original $185,000 to $615,000. "Loading the wardrobe department on trucks and delivering the contents to Lively’s home...cost time and money—always in short supply on any major film," Baldoni asserted as part of his legal defense.
Recent developments reveal tensions over the film's creative process, with Baldoni claiming Lively dismissed the wardrobe team's preparations and made unreasonable demands. He also noted her request for high-end designer shoes valued at $5,000, absurd considering her character, who is portrayed as struggling. This allegation brings forth questions about accountability on set, especially considering Lively's dual role as executive producer.
Further complicate matters, Baldoni has leaked parts of the film's script as evidence against Lively's claims of fabricated scenes, namely one where his character lifts hers during pivotal moments of the film. Lively contends no such scenes existed, which directly contradicts Baldoni’s contention.
On May 15, 2023, the situation escalated when paparazzi photos of Lively's disparaged outfits went viral, leading to public scrutiny. Baldoni claims this prompted him to address wardrobe choices directly with Lively, yet he later stated she misrepresented their discussion.
The saga took another turn when Jed Wallace, of the crisis PR firm Street Relations, filed his own lawsuit against Lively for defamation. Wallace contends Lively wrongly implicated him and his firm, claiming they aided Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign. "Mr. Wallace has never met or spoken to Ms. Lively..." his lawsuit emphasized, asserting his innocence against her accusations.
Lively’s legal representatives responded, calling Wallace's suit "transparent retaliation" for her courage to speak out against harassment and the systemic issues affecting women in the industry.
This web of disputes, filled with public allegations and counterclaims, sets the stage for the trial scheduled for March 9, 2026—an event professionals and fans alike are watching closely. Both actors' careers are now under scrutiny, with rumors about the film's future also circulating. The moral questions surrounding workplace conduct and the pressures faced by women when standing up to potential abuse are evident throughout this increasingly complex case.
Hollywood remains on high alert as the legal drama continues to evolve, with the film industry reflecting on the importance of accountability and support systems for its talent. The saga serves as a reminder of the challenges many actors face and the potential ramifications on their careers when personal disputes become public spectacles.