Blake Lively is taking legal action against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director from the romantic drama film It Ends With Us, alleging sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The actress has filed a lawsuit claiming Baldoni's behavior caused her "severe emotional distress" during the filming process.
The lawsuit, revealed on December 22, 2024, details Lively's damning allegations, asserting Baldoni organized a smear campaign against her as their public feud unfolded. Screenshots included as evidence show Baldoni communicating with PR executive Jennifer Abel and crisis management expert Melissa Nathan. These messages reportedly discuss exploiting Hailey Bieber’s negative media portrayal as inspiration for Lively's mudslinging. Baldoni appeared to agree on how to execute it, noting, "This is what we would need," referring to the post about Bieber, which claimed, "Hailey Bieber's history of bullying many women." Abel encouraged focusing efforts on social media platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram.
These revelations come on the heels of Lively's experiences on the It Ends With Us set, where she reportedly experienced discomfort and harassment from Baldoni. One of Lively's complaints included requests for modifications on set to eliminate inappropriate interactions, such as non-consensual touching and any remarks pertaining to sexual themes outside the story's scripted confines. Notably, her demands were granted by Sony Pictures, including requests to refrain from discussing her deceased father and her weight, as these topics contributed to her distress during production.
During the production of the film, which was based on the popular novel by Colleen Hoover, complications arose when Lively noticed increasing tension between her and Baldoni, evident during promotional events where they did not appear together. Their theatrical premiere was marked by the two teams visibly separating on the red carpet.
Lively’s husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, was reportedly present at meetings called to resolve these conflicts. She stated, "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." After filing the lawsuit, Baldoni's lawyer vehemently denied the allegations, claiming they were "categorically false" and driven by Lively's perceived need to manage her public image amid her actions to regain favor.
Legal representatives for Baldoni at Wayfarer Studios have accused Lively of making multiple demands and threats during the production, hastening the need for crisis management assistance. Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman claimed, "It is shameful Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious accusations," asserting they stem from her own negative remarks during the film's campaign.
The accusations led to Baldoni being dropped by his representation at WME, increasing the scrutiny on him as the lawsuit becomes public. Lively’s attorney added, her client has endured significant emotional tolls as demonstrated by her claims of trauma and anxiety linked to Baldoni's conduct.
Colleen Hoover, the author of the novel It Ends With Us, showed her support for Lively amid these accusations. She took to social media to express her gratitude for Lively's character, stating, "You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human you are. Never change. Never wilt." Hoover's comments follow the heightened tensions surrounding the film and the responses to Lively's assertions.
The film It Ends With Us garnered considerable anticipation prior to its release, but the mounting allegations and resulting publicity have overshadowed its success. Following the introduction of serious allegations, discussions about the film’s adequacy as entertainment now bear heavy weight against the serious allegations concerning its lead actors.
Lively continues to urge support and awareness of issues surrounding sexual harassment, emphasizing the broader issue of how such allegations can impact not just individuals but the industry as well. The outcome of the lawsuit rests with the courts, as the debate around harassment, workplace safety, and accountability remains starkly at the forefront of discussions within the film industry.
