Hollywood actress, Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her It Ends with Us co-star and director, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her career.
In a statement to TMZ, Lively said, “I hope my legal action helps expose these harmful retaliatory tactics and protects others who may face similar treatment.”
The lawsuit outlines allegations of inappropriate behavior during the film’s production, including discussions about Baldoni’s alleged past pornography addiction, sexual conquests, and inappropriate references to cast and crew members. It also highlights a list of demands made by Lively, which included halting the addition of explicit scenes and avoiding remarks about her weight or her late father.
While the studio initially supported Lively’s requests, tensions reportedly grew over marketing disagreements. Lively favored a campaign focusing on her character’s resilience, whereas Baldoni allegedly pushed for a domestic violence-centered narrative.
Lively claims Baldoni and his team later orchestrated a targeted campaign to tarnish her reputation, citing alleged texts from Baldoni’s publicist as evidence. One text allegedly read, “We can’t write we will destroy her,” suggesting an intent to sabotage Lively’s career.
In response, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, dismissed the claims as baseless and accused Lively of being difficult on set, stating her behavior contributed to the film’s struggles.
This high-profile legal battle has drawn significant attention in Hollywood, with both sides presenting sharply contrasting narratives.