Blake Lively has filed a bombshell lawsuit against her co-star Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrated efforts to undermine her reputation during the production of their film ‘It Ends With Us.’ According to TMZ, the actress claims Baldoni, who also directed the film, subjected her to continual harassment on set, creating what she describes as a hostile work environment.
The legal documents detail allegations of Baldoni’s attempts to ruin Lively's public image following the film's release. Following the film's debut, significant negative press circulated about Lively, labeling her as difficult to work with and painting her as the ‘mean girl’ of Hollywood. Lively attributes this backlash to Baldoni's actions and claims it led to severe consequences for her family and business. “It is shameful…” stated Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman, who firmly denied Lively’s allegations, calling them categorically false.
The conflicts between the pair reportedly began during filming when Lively, supported by her husband Ryan Reynolds, called for changes to safeguard her wellbeing on set. She demanded measures to prevent Baldoni from discussing personal topics such as her weight and her late father, as well as any unwanted sexual content outside the agreed script. Despite these requests, Lively alleges Baldoni and his team created and executed what she terms as “a social manipulation campaign” aimed at damaging her reputation, citing text messages from Baldoni’s publicist as evidence.
The film, which grossed over $350 million worldwide, has added layers of complexity to the narrative of Lively’s lawsuit. Ironically, the reported animosity between the two co-stars attracted public interest, which may have contributed to the film’s box office success. While Baldoni allegedly favored marketing the film's focus on domestic violence, Lively sought to highlight her character's resilience, leading to disagreements over promotional strategies.
Adding to the drama, Lively’s legal action follows the emergence of another lawsuit. Stephanie Jones, Lively's former publicist, has accused Baldoni of breaching contract and launching coordinated smear campaigns against Lively. Jones’s lawsuit also claims Baldoni's team sought to undermine Lively’s public image, proposing various strategies to ‘bury’ her. Jones reasons her lawsuit is necessary to recover her reputation, which she claims has been damaged by Baldoni’s departure to work with new publicist Jennifer Abel.
Baldoni’s representatives have characterized the claims as retaliatory and desperate attempts by Lively to rectify her declining reputation. “These claims are completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious,” Freedman expressed. Given the gravity of Lively's allegations, the director previously received backlash from the charity Vital Voices, which revoked his Voices of Solidarity Award following Lively's claims of his “disturbing” behavior.
Support for Lively has come from both her co-stars and the film’s production company. Sony Pictures Entertainment publicly condemned the attacks against her, stating, “such attacks have no place in our business.” Fellow actresses from Lively's past project, ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,’ have also rallied behind her, emphasizing the importance of unity among women facing industry challenges.
This high-profile case not only shines the spotlight on the issue of sexual harassment within the film industry but raises pivotal questions about the dynamics between cast and crew members during productions. The legal proceedings surrounding Lively’s allegations have the potential to reshape perceptions and practices within Hollywood, highlighting the necessity for safer work environments and healthier interpersonal relationships on set.
Despite claims made by Baldoni’s camp, Lively’s actions may encourage other professionals to come forward about inappropriate treatment and behaviors they have faced, potentially changing industry standards. It certainly is becoming increasingly apparent how mass public response can influence corporations and individuals within Hollywood to reconsider their policies and actions.
While the outcome of Lively’s lawsuit is still looming, the ripple effects may be far-reaching, as more individuals feel empowered to address their experiences of harassment, bullying, or intimidation sparked by the narrative surrounding this legal battle.
