Hollywood star Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint against her It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni, accusing him of "repeated sexual harassment" on set and of conducting a smear campaign against her following the film's release.
Lively filed the complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 20, 2023, as reported by the Associated Press. Along with Baldoni, the complaint names his publicists and senior executives from Wayfarer, Baldoni's production studio, as defendants.
"I hope my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted," Lively stated.
Baldoni, noted for his advocacy against "toxic masculinity" and support of women, has yet to personally address the claims. His legal representation, Bryan Freedman, labeled the allegations as "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious."
The drama film It Ends With Us, scheduled for release in August 2024, is based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel of the same name. The narrative follows florist Lily Bloom, played by Lively, whose abusive upbringing leads her to marry neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, portrayed by Baldoni. The film tackles themes surrounding domestic violence, as Lively's character grapples with Ryle's abusive behavior and her quest for freedom.
Throughout the filming from April 2023 to early 2024, Lively claims she faced unwanted sexual comments and violations of personal boundaries from Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath, as outlined in the legal documents obtained by The New York Times. Before filming began, Lively expressed discomfort with added intimate scenes which she deemed unnecessary. Reports indicate Baldoni often spoke of his sex life and pressured Lively about personal matters, including her post-pregnancy weight.
These allegations led Lively to seek changes on set, prompting Wayfarer to agree to establish safeguards. This included prohibiting Baldoni from entering Lively's trailer unannounced, addressing topics of nudity, and ensuring the presence of intimacy coordinators for sensitive scenes.
Following the film's premiere, Lively accused Baldoni and Wayfarer of launching a systematic campaign to tarnish her reputation—an action she referred to as "sophisticated and well-financed." She backed her claims with thousands of pages of texts and emails allegedly pertaining to efforts by publicists hired by Baldoni to deflect negative attention and alter the public narrative surrounding Lively.
The legal complaint states Baldoni's team created and amplified content aiming to undermine Lively’s credibility. "They engaged in the same techniques to bolster Mr. Baldoni’s credibility and suppress any negative content about him," the complaint asserts.
Further, Lively detailed negative press she received, which seemed unconnected to her actions but capable of impacting her family life and public perception. She contended the negative comments left her feeling objectified and targeted, compromising her mental well-being.
Several co-stars, including Brandon Sklenar, have come to Lively's defense. Sklenar shared the lawsuit documents online, urging others to read them. On social media, he expressed dismay over the negativity directed at Lively, emphasizing the need to focus on the film's intended message rather than the personal attacks on its cast.
Former co-stars from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, including America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, issued statements supporting Lively. The trio emphasized the importance of maintaining safe working conditions and condemned the alleged retaliatory actions taken against Lively. "We are appalled to read evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort to discredit her voice," they remarked.
The fallout from the allegations has extended beyond Lively, most recently affecting Baldoni's public perception. Following the surfacing of the lawsuit, Vital Voices rescinded its award previously granted to Baldoni for his advocacy toward women. His podcast co-host, Liz Plank, announced her departure from their Man Enough show, indicating solidarity with Lively.
Colleen Hoover, the author of It Ends With Us, has also voiced her support for Lively and shared gratitude for the strong stance taken by her former co-stars. Hoover referred to Lively as 'honest, kind, supportive, and patient,' and expressed admiration for Lively’s refusal to be silenced.
The events surrounding this latest development highlight the continuing conversation around workplace safety and the treatment of women within Hollywood, challenging the prevailing culture of silence and complicity. Lively’s legal action may serve as a significant step toward addressing these widespread issues within the entertainment industry.
