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Blake Lively Accuses It Ends With Us Director Justin Baldoni of Harassment and Retaliation
Dec
Blake Lively has filed a detailed complaint against It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation. The legal document, spanning 80 pages, names Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and producer Jamey Heath as defendants.
In the complaint, Lively alleges Baldoni engaged in unprofessional and inappropriate behavior during the production of the 2024 film. This included “improvised physical intimacy” during sex scenes, unplanned touching, and suggestive comments. The Gossip Girl star further claims Baldoni pressured her into simulating nudity during a childbirth scene and discussed intimate and inappropriate topics in her presence.
Alleged Retaliation Campaign
The document also accuses Baldoni of hiring a crisis PR firm to orchestrate a smear campaign against Lively in anticipation of potential allegations. According to the filing, the campaign involved planting negative stories about Lively while bolstering Baldoni’s image as a feminist ally.
“Mr. Baldoni was desperate to suppress any suggestion of misconduct because it would undermine his carefully curated public persona,” the complaint states.
Lively’s legal team obtained thousands of emails and texts to support her claims. In a statement to The New York Times, Lively expressed hope that her legal action would shed light on industry practices and protect others from similar experiences.
Baldoni’s Response
Attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, dismissed the allegations as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” He accused Lively of making the claims to distract from her own alleged public relations issues during the film’s promotion.
Freedman argued that internal PR planning and response strategies were standard practice, denying any proactive measures were taken to harm Lively’s reputation.
On-Set Allegations
Lively’s complaint describes specific instances of harassment, including Baldoni’s alleged unplanned physical contact during intimate scenes, unwelcome comments about her appearance, and inappropriate behavior at social events. She also claims Baldoni created a hostile work environment by repeatedly touching and hugging cast and crew members, despite objections.
In response to these allegations, Lively reportedly sought intervention from Sony’s HR department. However, she was told that only Wayfarer Studios had authority over Baldoni.
Impact on Lively’s Career and Personal Life
The complaint outlines the professional and personal toll these experiences have taken on Lively. She alleges the retaliatory campaign has caused significant harm to her career, including withdrawing from hosting Saturday Night Live and scaling back business ventures.
“The emotional impact on Ms. Lively has been extreme,” the filing states, detailing how the situation has affected her, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their four children.
Moving Forward
The complaint also highlights an agreement made during production, which established boundaries for Baldoni’s on-set behavior, including the presence of an intimacy coordinator and restrictions on discussing personal topics. Despite these measures, Lively claims retaliation continued during the film’s promotional campaign, further compounding her distress.
As the legal battle unfolds, the allegations have sparked a broader conversation about workplace safety, power dynamics, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
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