Ryan Reynolds is firmly standing by his wife, Blake Lively, as she navigates through her sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her co-star from the film It Ends With Us. The tensions between Lively and Baldoni have reached new heights, prompting the attack to shift from mere professional disputes to serious legal claims.
According to reports, before Lively filed her lawsuit on December 20, 2024, Reynolds took preemptive action by blocking Baldoni on social media. This was no minor gesture, as Baldoni was aware of the block and expressed his concerns to his publicist. "We should have a plan for IF she does the same when [the] moviecomes out," Baldoni reportedly said, hinting at the nervousness surrounding their public perception.
Lively accuses Baldoni of engaging in "invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior" during the filming of It Ends With Us. Among her claims detailed in the lawsuit are specific instances of Baldoni's misconduct, such as allegedly "improvising" kisses, showing explicit images, and discussing his personal life—and those of others—in inappropriate contexts. These incidents reportedly caused not only distress to Lively but also created what she describes as a ``hostile work environment``.
The dynamics during promotional events for the film showcased the discord between Lively and Baldoni. At the premiere, Reynolds attended alongside Lively, making it apparent where his loyalties lay. Meanwhile, Baldoni attended separately, underscoring the growing divide.
Reynolds' actions weren't limited to social media. He reportedly played an active role behind the scenes, getting involved creatively and contributing to the script to help navigate the situation—an uncommon move for actors outside their direct performances. No public comments have surfaced from Reynolds concerning the lawsuit; instead, his defiance is evident.
The legal fallout for Baldoni is severe as he faces the ramifications of these serious allegations. Sources indicate he has been dropped by his talent agency, WME, amid these scandals. This is indicative of Hollywood's often rapid response to such claims, reflecting the industry's commitment to addressing alleged misconduct seriously.
With both Lively and Baldoni at the center of public scrutiny, the courtroom drama has already grabbed significant media attention. Lively's allegations are reinforced by alarming claims from the set, where she felt her physical and emotional boundaries were disrespected. She notes, for example, specific comments Baldoni made during filming, including inappropriate remarks about weight and unwanted discussions about his personal life, which could have potentially damaged the film and her reputation.
Reports from text messages obtained by media reveal the strategy Baldoni's team allegedly formulated about maintaining his public image. The lawsuit includes what Lively describes as "thousands of pages" of communications, highlighting the organized effort to manage negative perceptions following the film's release.
Amid this tumult, Reynolds’ support for Lively remains staunch. Not only did he block Baldoni's social media accounts to signal his disapproval, but he also stood alongside his wife during the entire promotional circuit of It Ends With Us. The stark separation between Lively and Baldoni during these promotional appearances pointed to the undercurrents of conflict and discontent surrounding their partnership on and off the screen.
Following the premiere and subsequent publicity, Lively expressed her feelings to the press, stating, "I hope my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics." Her aim appears to be fostering dialogue on inappropriate conduct within the industry and how similar situations can potentially impact others.
Baldoni remains adamant, having issued statements through his legal team denying the allegations and asserting Lively's claims are part of a larger attempt to control her own reputation as she navigates the fallout from her role and its reception.
While the lawsuit's details continue to develop, Ryan Reynolds’ unyielding stance is emblematic of their relationship's strength amid adversity. It is evident he will stand by Lively as they face the public fallout together, shedding light on both personal loyalty and the responsibility of figures within Hollywood to address their colleagues' behavior.
