Months of tension between “It Ends With Us” stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have escalated into a major legal battle. On December 20, Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and maliciously damaging her reputation. The accusations include manipulative behavior, inappropriate conduct on set, and an alleged campaign to destroy her credibility.
Legal Allegations and Harassment Claims
In her lawsuit, Lively claims Baldoni engaged in a “social manipulation” campaign to ruin her reputation. According to the legal documents, Baldoni’s actions included improvised physical intimacy during filming and sharing unsolicited details about his private life. One incident described in the lawsuit alleges that Baldoni repeatedly improvised kissing scenes without her consent. He reportedly bit and sucked on her lower lip while the cameras rolled—actions that were neither rehearsed nor approved.
Lively’s lawyer argued these behaviors violated professional boundaries. Baldoni’s legal team, however, denied the claims, calling them “completely false” and an attempt to salvage her reputation. Attorney Bryan Freedman also accused Lively of making unreasonable demands during production, claiming these demands led to significant challenges for the film’s release.
Disputes Over Creative Direction
The lawsuit reveals that Lively opposed changes to the script before filming began. She specifically objected to the addition of explicit scenes. Her legal filing demanded a ban on new sex scenes or nudity beyond what the script initially approved. However, Lively alleges Baldoni disregarded these boundaries and pressured her into compromising situations, including a controversial birthing scene where he insisted she appear partially nude.
Allegations Against Baldoni and Others
The accusations extend beyond Baldoni. The lawsuit also named producer Jamey Heath. Lively alleged that Heath showed her explicit videos and entered her trailer without permission while she undressed. She claims both Baldoni and Heath violated her privacy on multiple occasions, including during breastfeeding sessions.
In one instance, Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, attended a meeting to address these concerns. After the meeting, the team reportedly implemented certain protections, including bans on inappropriate discussions and conduct. Lively observed some improvement in behavior but maintained that the damage was already done.
Body-Shaming Accusations
Lively accused Baldoni of body-shaming her postpartum physique. According to the lawsuit, Baldoni contacted her trainer without her consent, implying she needed to lose weight quickly for the role. This interaction reportedly left Lively humiliated, as there was no scene requiring physical lifting in the film.
Additionally, after Lively contracted strep throat, Baldoni allegedly offered to connect her with a specialist. However, she discovered the “specialist” was actually a weight-loss expert, further exacerbating her discomfort.
Manipulation and Reputation Damage
Lively’s lawsuit claims Baldoni launched a calculated campaign to undermine her credibility. This campaign reportedly involved thousands of text messages and emails obtained through subpoenas. One crisis management expert allegedly discussed strategies for “burying” Lively’s reputation. The lawsuit also accuses Baldoni’s team of promoting narratives that weaponized feminism to discredit her.
Examples cited include comparisons to other celebrities accused of bullying, such as Hailey Bieber. Baldoni allegedly sought to manipulate public perception using social media campaigns and fabricated stories.
On-Set Behavior
The legal filing details multiple incidents of inappropriate on-set behavior. In one scene, Baldoni allegedly broke character during a slow dance sequence to caress Lively’s neck, commenting on her scent. Lively stated this behavior was unrelated to the script and made her deeply uncomfortable.
The lawsuit also accuses Baldoni of creating an unwelcoming environment by frequently hugging and touching cast members. Those who resisted this behavior reportedly faced retaliation, making the set an uneasy workplace.
Emotional and Professional Impact
The allegations describe significant emotional distress for Lively and her family. The lawsuit states she suffered from anxiety, grief, and trauma due to her experiences. Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and their children were also reportedly affected. Lively claims the ordeal disrupted her personal life and damaged her career.
One example of professional fallout cited in the lawsuit involved Lively stepping down from hosting the “Saturday Night Live” season premiere. She also canceled key events for her beauty brand, Blake Brown Beauty, citing the ongoing harassment campaign as the reason.
Damages to Business Ventures
The lawsuit highlights the financial impact of the controversy. Lively’s beauty and beverage brands faced significant backlash online, resulting in a sharp decline in sales and social media activity. Her legal team alleges this decline was directly linked to the negative publicity surrounding the film’s production.
COVID-19 Protocol Violations
The lawsuit also accuses Baldoni and Heath of failing to follow proper COVID-19 protocols. Lively claims she and her infant contracted the virus due to an on-set outbreak. She further alleges the producers deliberately withheld information about the outbreak to avoid production delays.
Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni reveals a troubling pattern of alleged misconduct on the set of “It Ends With Us.” From accusations of harassment and body-shaming to claims of reputation-damaging campaigns, the case sheds light on the challenges faced by actors advocating for their rights. The outcome remains uncertain, but the legal battle underscores the importance of accountability and safe work environments in Hollywood.
