Kristina
Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and orchestrating a campaign to “destroy” her reputation.
According to the complaint, Ms. Lively accuses Mr. Baldoni and his team of attacking her public image following a meeting she attended with her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. The meeting was convened to address what Ms. Lively described as “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior” by Mr. Baldoni and a producer on the film.
A legal representative for Mr. Baldoni has denied the allegations, calling them “categorically false.” They also stated that a crisis manager was hired because Ms. Lively had allegedly threatened to disrupt the film’s production unless her demands were met.
In an earlier interview at the film’s August premiere, Ms. Lively expressed pride in the movie’s emotional depth. “I really feel like we delivered a story that’s emotional and it’s fun, but also funny, painful, scary, tragic, and it’s inspiring—and that’s what life is, it’s every single color,” she said.
Ms. Lively, who is also credited as a producer, described the film as being created “with lots of empathy.” She added, “Lily is a survivor and a victim, and while they are huge labels, these are not her identity. She defines herself, and I think it’s deeply empowering that no one else can define you.”
Allegations of a Hostile Work Environment
The legal complaint details a January 4 meeting aimed at addressing “the hostile work environment” on the film set. The meeting included Ms. Lively, Mr. Baldoni, and other production team members, with Mr. Reynolds also in attendance.
Ms. Lively alleges that both Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath engaged in “inappropriate and unwelcome behavior.” The filing lists 30 demands made during the meeting to address the alleged misconduct and ensure the project could move forward.
Among the demands, Ms. Lively requested that Mr. Baldoni and Mr. Heath cease discussing their previous “pornography addiction,” making inappropriate comments about their genitalia, and proposing the addition of explicit scenes beyond the approved script.
Ms. Lively also accused Mr. Baldoni of making unsettling comments, including claiming he could speak to her deceased father.
Claims of Retaliation
The complaint further alleges that Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios initiated a “multi-tiered plan” to tarnish Ms. Lively’s reputation. She claims this was a retaliatory effort to silence her and deter others from speaking out about the alleged hostile work environment.
Mr. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, rejected the claims, stating, “It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations.” He accused Ms. Lively of making demands that threatened the production and release of the film, calling her allegations “intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”
Blake Lively’s Response
In a statement via her attorneys, Ms. Lively denied spreading negative information about Mr. Baldoni or Wayfarer Studios. She said, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Box Office Success Amid Controversy
Despite the controversies, It Ends With Us was a box-office hit. However, critics noted concerns about the film’s portrayal of domestic violence.
Rumors of tension between Ms. Lively and Mr. Baldoni were further fueled by their absence from the red carpet together and an Instagram post by co-star Brandon Sklenar, hinting at a rift.
Based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, the film follows the story of Lily Bloom, a Boston florist navigating a complex love triangle while grappling with domestic abuse. The author has previously revealed the story was inspired by her mother’s experience with domestic violence.
This legal dispute casts a shadow over the success of the film and raises broader questions about workplace conduct and accountability in the entertainment industry.
