Blake Lively has shocked the entertainment world by filing a lawsuit against actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and a calculated effort to sabotage her reputation. The explosive allegations stem from their recent collaboration on the film It Ends with Us, a project that now finds itself at the heart of a controversy neither side could have anticipated.
Blake Lively’s attorneys respond to Justin Baldoni’s $400M lawsuit: ‘The strategy of attacking the woman is desperate’
Justin Baldoni has sued Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, the actress’s publicist Leslie Sloane and the couple’s publicity firm Vision PR for $400 million. The move comes after his $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times and two weeks after Lively sued Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment, retaliation and more.
Attorney Bryan Freedman filed the lawsuit on Jan. 16 in New York on behalf of Baldoni, his company Wayfarer Studios, It Ends With Us co-producer Jamey Heath, publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis publicist Melissa Nathan.
All parties were named in Lively’s lawsuit, in which she accused Baldoni and Heath of misconduct on the set of the film and alleged his publicists launched a smear campaign that ruined her reputation. They have denied all allegations, and Freedman has been alluding to Thursday’s lawsuit for weeks.
Lively’s legal team fired back in a statement on Thursday evening and accused Baldoni of victim-blaming.
Disturbing Claims: What Did Justin Baldoni Do to Blake Lively?
According to the legal documents filed by Lively, the lawsuit paints a chilling picture of an alleged hostile work environment during the film’s production. The accusations detail a series of unsettling and inappropriate behaviors by Baldoni that Lively claims she had to confront head-on.
- Sexualized and Inappropriate Conversations: Baldoni reportedly made references to his alleged pornography addiction and shared lurid stories about his past sexual exploits.
- Disrespectful Behavior Toward Cast and Crew: He allegedly made crude comments about the genitalia of fellow cast and crew members, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere on set.
- Personal Attacks on Blake Lively: Lively claims Baldoni even crossed boundaries when he inquired about her weight and made disturbing remarks about her late father.
The lawsuit goes on to detail the conditions that Lively demanded for her continued participation in the project, including:
- An immediate halt to any nudity or sexual content in her presence.
- A ban on discussions about Baldoni’s pornography addiction.
- The cessation of any inappropriate comments about sexual conquests and genitalia.
- A demand for Baldoni to stop asking about her personal appearance and weight.
- An end to insensitive remarks regarding her deceased father.
Justin Baldoni Denies the Allegations: A Desperate Move to Salvage Reputation?
Justin Baldoni’s legal team wasted no time in issuing a fiery denial of Lively’s accusations. In a statement, Baldoni’s lawyer called the lawsuit a “desperate attempt” by Lively to salvage her deteriorating reputation.
“It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives,” the attorney stated. “This is yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation that she herself helped cultivate during the campaign for the film.”
Baldoni’s team also claims that the film’s production was forced to bring in crisis management expert Melissa Nathandue to Lively’s multiple demands and alleged threats made during filming.
Hollywood Stunned: How Will the Industry Respond?
The lawsuit has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, leaving many in the industry questioning what truly went on behind the scenes of It Ends with Us. While some supporters are rallying behind Lively, others are waiting to see how the legal proceedings unfold.
Both Lively and Baldoni have yet to make any public statements outside of their legal filings, leaving fans and Hollywood insiders to speculate about the true nature of their on-set relationship.
As both parties prepare to take their cases to court, the entertainment world is bracing for more shocking revelations. Could this lawsuit be the tip of a much darker iceberg? Or is it a calculated move in a much larger battle for control over public opinion?
One thing is clear: Blake Lively Sues Justin Baldoni — but who will emerge victorious in this real-life Hollywood drama?