Blake Lively, the actress known for her role in Gossip Girl and her latest starring role in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel It Ends With Us, has filed a lawsuit against her ex-co-star Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and attempting to destroy her reputation during the production of the romantic drama.
The 37-year-old actress claims that Baldoni, who was also the director of the film, subjected her to inappropriate behavior on set, which allegedly included sending her nude videos and discussing his past “porn addiction” and sexual conquests.
In the lawsuit, Lively describes a tense moment when an “all-hands” meeting was convened to address Baldoni’s conduct.
During the meeting, Lively alleges that Baldoni was warned by production staff to refrain from mentioning her “weight,” discussing the “genitalia” of cast and crew, and even making comments about her deceased father.
Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, was reportedly present during this meeting to support Lively.
The complaint also includes accusations that Baldoni was told to stop pushing for additional sex scenes outside of the pre-approved script, and to avoid any comments related to Lively’s body or personal life.
Despite these warnings, Lively alleges that Baldoni continued to make her feel uncomfortable, engaging in inappropriate behavior that escalated over the course of the shoot.
In response to the allegations, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has vehemently denied the claims, calling them “categorically false” and accusing Lively of making “outrageous” accusations designed to damage his client’s reputation.
Freedman claims that Lively’s legal team fabricated these claims to harm Baldoni and distract from Lively’s own behavior on set, which included making threats about not promoting the film and even refusing to show up for shooting unless her demands were met.
The lawsuit has brought renewed attention to the on-set drama between Lively and Baldoni, which had been the subject of speculation months before the lawsuit was filed.
In August, sources reported that Lively had felt uncomfortable with Baldoni’s remarks and behavior.
It was said that Baldoni allegedly asked a trainer on set about Lively’s weight after suffering a back injury during a scene in which he was required to lift her.
The tension between the two co-stars reportedly worsened, with some sources claiming that Lively was “fat-shamed” by Baldoni.
However, these reports of behind-the-scenes drama were overshadowed by the negative press surrounding Lively herself, as past interviews resurfaced online, including a remark she made about an interviewer’s “stomach bump” and a controversial comment involving a transgender slur.
Additionally, Lively faced scrutiny for how she handled questions about It Ends With Us‘s sensitive themes, particularly its focus on domestic violence.
Lively now alleges that Baldoni and his team were behind a concerted effort to tarnish her public image in retaliation for speaking out about his behavior.
The actress claims that Baldoni engaged in “social manipulation” to create a negative narrative about her, which was then spread through digital platforms.
The lawsuit includes a text exchange between Baldoni’s publicist and a studio representative, which allegedly reads: “He wants to feel like [Lively] can be buried,” to which the studio rep responds, “You know we can bury anyone.”
Lively further accuses Baldoni’s team of using a digital army to create and amplify negative content about her on social media, particularly on platforms like Instagram and online forums.
This content was reportedly manufactured to appear authentic, thereby influencing public opinion and causing a viral backlash against Lively.
The actress claims that Baldoni’s team used this content to manipulate the media and create a “pile-on” effect, damaging her reputation further.
Freedman, however, dismissed these accusations as “another desperate attempt” by Lively to repair the negative press she received during the film’s promotional campaign.
He also claims that Lively used her own publicist to plant negative stories about Baldoni, a claim Lively’s legal team has denied.
In an interview with the New York Times, Lively expressed her hope that her lawsuit would bring attention to the tactics used to intimidate and retaliate against individuals who speak up about misconduct.
She emphasized that her legal action was not an attempt to deflect from her own actions but rather a means to protect others who may be targeted in similar situations.
As the lawsuit continues to unfold, there is uncertainty regarding the future of It Ends With Us and its planned sequel, It Starts With Us. Sources have suggested that the strained relationship between Lively and Baldoni could prevent either of them from returning to the franchise. However, no official decisions about the sequel have been made as of yet.
This lawsuit has added another layer of drama to an already controversial production, with tensions continuing to rise between Lively and Baldoni.
The situation raises important questions about the dynamics between actors, directors, and their teams, and the potential for power imbalances to create toxic work environments.
As the legal battle continues, the public will likely continue to follow this high-profile dispute closely.
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