Blake Lively, the beloved actress known for her role as Lily Bloom, has recently filed a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation efforts aimed at damaging her reputation. This shocking legal action has sent ripples through Hollywood, particularly as it unearths underlying tensions from the set of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel.
The lawsuit was officially filed on Friday night, just as news began to swirl about tensions on set, hinting at issues between Lively and Baldoni. While the film, which hit theaters earlier this summer, grossed over $350 million worldwide, Lively’s discomfort during filming has now overshadowed its success.
Joined by her longtime friends and fellow actresses from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, Lively garnered public support from her peers. The trio released a joint statement on social media, affirming their backing for Lively against what they referred to as “a reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.” They expressed their admiration for Lively’s courage to demand safety on set:
“We are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort to discredit her voice,” they wrote. Such statements reflect the solidarity many feel with Lively, emphasizing the importance of safe workplaces, especially within the entertainment industry.
Lively's lawsuit paints a troubling picture of the working environment on the It Ends With Us set. She alleges incidents of harassment from Baldoni, including inappropriate discussions about his sexual past and remarks about her appearance. According to the documents, there was even pressure to disclose personal beliefs and uncomfortable conversations about her weight during fitness training sessions.
One particularly shocking allegation included Baldoni showing Lively videos of his wife giving birth, which Lively claimed made her feel violated and disrespected, especially during her postpartum period. This behavior has raised serious questions about professionalism and boundaries on set.
Further raising alarm, Lively pointed to what she describes as retaliatory tactics following her complaints. The legal complaint states, “Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer associates embarked on a sophisticated press and digital plan” to undermine her position after she sought basic workplace protections. These included demands to halt discussions of anatomy and intimate subjects, as well as any references concerning her deceased father.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, Baldoni's management agency, WME, severed ties with him, indicating the seriousness with which the industry views these allegations. Meanwhile, Lively hopes her legal fight will shine light on these “sinister retaliatory tactics” employed against individuals who speak out against misconduct.
Colleen Hoover, the author of the source material for the film, also expressed her support for Lively via social media. She described Lively as “honest, kind, supportive and patient,” validating Lively’s character and reinforcing her credibility as she faces these serious accusations.
The legal battle is underscored by the film's recent success—in spite of the controversy and unfounded rumors of a feud between Lively and Baldoni during its promotion, the film captivated audiences and became one of summer’s biggest hits.
Baldoni’s camp has vehemently denied the allegations, with attorney Bryan Freedman labeling the claims “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.” He contended this lawsuit is nothing more than Lively’s attempt to regain her reputation after negative perceptions arose during the film's promotional phase.
Despite these denials, both the public and peers are anxiously watching how these events will play out as they influence not only Lively’s career but the dynamics within Hollywood’s treatment of harassment complaints. The stark reality is highlighting the pervasive issues of misconduct many have faced and the oftentimes silent retaliation they endure thereafter.
With the future of both Lively's and Baldoni’s careers now uncertain, this lawsuit stands as a poignant reminder of the industry’s need for change—one where protecting individuals who dare to speak out should be the norm rather than the exception, and where accountability is the expectation.
