Blake Lively Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against "It Ends With Us" Director Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively has made a serious legal accusation against Justin Baldoni, the director and co-star of It Ends With Us . In a legal complaint filed in California, Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, with the actress claiming that his behavior during the production of the film created a toxic, hostile environment. Lively alleges that Baldoni engaged in unprofessional conduct, including unwanted physical advances, inappropriate discussions about his sex life, and even attempts to undermine her reputation in a smear campaign.
The lawsuit outlines multiple incidents during filming that left Lively feeling uncomfortable and violated. She claims that Baldoni, despite her clear boundaries, continued to make unwanted advances, including a scene where he allegedly kissed her without consent. She also alleges that Baldoni discussed explicit details about his personal life, including encounters where consent may not have been given, and that a producer, Jamey Heath, showed her inappropriate images, further crossing professional lines. Lively claims both men entered her makeup trailer without permission, including when she was breastfeeding, which added to her distress.
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Lively took immediate steps to address the situation, demanding that Baldoni refrain from adding more explicit scenes to the movie beyond what had been agreed upon when she initially signed onto the project. She also requested that Baldoni stop making intrusive comments about her personal life, including inquiries about her weight and any reference to her deceased father. These demands were reportedly approved by the studio, but Lively claims that Baldoni, along with his team, initiated a "social manipulation" campaign against her following her complaints.
According to Lively, the plan was to damage her reputation by planting negative stories online, making her appear unprofessional, and manipulating the media to create a damaging narrative about her. The lawsuit includes evidence in the form of texts and emails, showing communications between Baldoni’s PR team and a crisis management expert discussing how to handle the situation and attack Lively’s credibility. In one message, the team discussed using social media to shift public opinion and even suggested that Lively’s ties to famous friends like Taylor Swift could be used against her.
Lively, who is married to actor Ryan Reynolds, claims that her husband's involvement in a meeting with Baldoni only escalated the retaliation. She further alleges that the campaign led to significant emotional distress for her and her family, as well as business consequences, with sales of her hair-care brand reportedly plummeting after the media attacks. In a statement, Lively expressed hope that her legal action would expose the retaliatory tactics used against those who speak out about misconduct, and offer protection to others who may face similar situations in the future.
Justin Baldoni, through his legal representative, has strongly denied the accusations. His lawyer described Lively’s claims as false and “shameful,” suggesting that her actions were aimed at salvaging her reputation after the controversy surrounding the film’s production and release. Baldoni’s legal team also pointed to the difficulties faced during the promotion of It Ends With Us , a film about domestic violence, which had been marked by tension among the cast and crew. Despite the mounting allegations, Baldoni and his team continue to assert that Lively’s actions led to the failure of the film's release.
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni is ongoing, and it has drawn significant attention due to the serious nature of the allegations. Lively’s brave decision to speak out is seen as a critical step in addressing toxic work environments in Hollywood and protecting individuals from abuse of power on set. The outcome of this case could have wider implications for how similar situations are handled in the industry moving forward.
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