A legal storm has erupted between Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us costar and director, Justin Baldoni, with both parties filing high-profile lawsuits that have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
On December 31, Lively, 37, filed a federal lawsuit in New York against Baldoni, 40, along with publicists Melissa Nathan, Jennifer Abel, and Wayfarer Studios.
The suit accuses the defendants of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, invasion of privacy, and other serious allegations. These claims mirror those made in a complaint she filed with the California Civil Rights Department earlier in December.
Lively’s attorneys issued a statement alleging that Wayfarer Studios engaged in a retaliatory campaign against her after she raised concerns about harassment and workplace safety.
“Ms. Lively’s federal complaint outlines violations of both federal and California state laws, and we intend to hold the defendants accountable,” her legal team asserted.
Speaking out about the case, Lively said, “I hope my legal action helps expose these harmful tactics and protects others who may face similar retaliation.”
Baldoni Strikes Back
In a dramatic counter-move, Baldoni and several associates filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times the same day.
The suit accuses the publication of libel and presenting a misleading narrative in its December 21 article, “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.” The story alleged Lively had endured months of harassment from Baldoni during the film’s production.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, characterized Lively’s claims and the Times article as part of a “vicious smear campaign” aimed at undermining Baldoni’s reputation. He accused the publication of manipulating evidence to support a predetermined narrative.
“This orchestrated attack seeks to weaponize false allegations against my clients,” Freedman said. “We have all the evidence to back the truth, and the public deserves to see it.”
A Public Battle Escalates
Baldoni’s camp has dismissed Lively’s allegations as “outrageous” and “intentionally salacious,” claiming they are part of an effort to rehabilitate her public image. Meanwhile, Lively’s lawsuit portrays her as a whistleblower facing retaliation for standing up against misconduct.
As the legal battle unfolds, both sides appear determined to defend their narratives, with the public left to judge the complex and conflicting accounts of events behind the scenes of It Ends With Us.
This escalating feud between two Hollywood power players has not only drawn intense media scrutiny but also cast a spotlight on issues of workplace safety, harassment, and the ethics of public relations battles in the entertainment industry.
