Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against her co-star Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and claiming he orchestrated a campaign to damage her reputation following the release of their film, It Ends With Us. The legal action has revealed explosive details about the on-set dynamics and the personal interactions between the two stars.
The lawsuit, reported by TMZ on December 21, 2023, claims Baldoni exhibited behavior causing Lively "severe emotional distress". Specifically, she alleges there was a meeting attended by both Baldoni and her husband Ryan Reynolds, where topics like Baldoni’s ‘pornography addiction’ were discussed, alongside inappropriate comments about her weight and personal life. According to the lawsuit, Lively had laid out several conditions for her participation, which included no more discussions of sexual content outside the confines of the script.
"There was no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni’s alleged previous ‘pornography addiction’," Lively's legal filings stated. This edict followed several unsettling incidents, including indications from other cast and crew of unresolved tensions.
Lively's role as Lily Bloom, the lead character based on Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, has been compared to the real-life narrative of domestic abuse depicted throughout It Ends With Us. Baldoni stars as Ryle Kincaid, and the promotional activities leading up to the film's release months later sparked fierce discussions about their off-screen relationship. What was intended to be celebrations of the film's premiere turned sour as rumors of animosity brewed.
Reports indicated the pair avoided each other during promotional tours, leading to public speculation about personal grievances. Alongside this, Baldoni hired crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, known for her controversial past with notable clients, to assist with the backlash. This sparked accusations of attempting to control the narrative around the film and its actors.
Support for Lively has poured in from various industry figures, most noticeably from Hoover herself, who publicly acknowledged the importance of her story. Other stars, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Amy Schumer, vocalized their support, amplifying Lively’s stance against Baldoni. Lively stated, "I hope this legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct."
Details continue to emerge, particularly around the alleged PR campaign instigated by Baldoni’s associates. The New York Times reported on January 13, 2024, on internal communications indicating discussions on how to discredit Lively during promotional rounds. It was suggested Baldoni's public relations team would draft negative narratives, saying, "Not sure I'm feeling the protection I felt on the call," Baldoni is purported to have commented, expressing concerns over how their campaign was progressing amid rising scrutiny of his on-set behavior.
On top of those claims, leaked text messages from Baldoni's publicist revealed deep personal opinions about him. The Daily Beast reported allegations from his former publicist, Jennifer Abel, showing extreme disdain. “I can’t stand (Baldoni),” she reportedly texted at one point. These messages suggested tensions between Baldoni and those managing his public image, as she also stated the actor needed to be “humbled.”
Eventually, the fallout escalated to Baldoni being dropped by his talent agency, William Morris Endeavor, due to the mounting controversies surrounding the lawsuit. It was also reported Vital Voices, the organization which honored him for advocating for women, rescinded their award, stating it contradicted the principles they stood for.
The culmination of these events paints a troubling picture of the behind-the-scenes disputes within the Hollywood elite, shining a spotlight on the broader issues of inappropriate behavior within the industry. Lively's lawsuit has incited conversations about protecting individuals against harassment and has forced many to reevaluate existing power dynamics within film sets.
Looking forward, this legal battle could potentially reshape Lively and Baldoni’s careers significantly. While Lively seems poised to regain public favor with her assertive stance against Baldoni, the accusations against him hold the potential to irreparably damage his reputation as someone advocating for women's rights.
This case exemplifies the need for greater transparency and accountability within the film industry, especially as it continues to confront the legacies of misconduct. Further developments will be closely monitored as both actors navigate their future within Hollywood.
