The drama surrounding It Ends With Us has taken another twist, as Justin Baldoni, actor and director, has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for what he claims is misleading reporting about allegations made by his co-star Blake Lively.
Baldoni and a group of plaintiffs, including publicists and producers from the film, have accused the publication of defamation and invasion of privacy.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on December 31, alleges that The New York Times “cherry-picked” evidence and presented a one-sided narrative in its article published on December 21.
The article, titled “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine,” detailed Lively’s claims of sexual harassment against Baldoni. However, Baldoni’s legal team argues that the piece was biased and left out important details that would have painted a different picture.
What Led to the Lawsuit?
The lawsuit comes after Blake Lively filed her own legal complaints in December, alleging that Baldoni had sexually harassed her during the production of It Ends With Us. The New York Times article reported claims that Baldoni entered Lively’s trailer uninvited while she was breastfeeding and showed her a “pornographic video.”
It also highlighted her demands for a safer working environment, including the presence of an intimacy coordinator on set.
Baldoni’s lawsuit, however, disputes these claims. It includes evidence such as a text message from Lively to Baldoni that reads, “I’m just pumping in my trailer if you wanna work out our lines,” suggesting a more collaborative and casual interaction.
As for the alleged video, Baldoni’s team clarifies it was a personal recording of a producer’s wife giving birth, with no inappropriate content.
Allegations of a Smear Campaign
Baldoni’s legal team accuses Lively of orchestrating a “strategic and manipulative” campaign to control the film’s production and tarnish Baldoni’s reputation. The lawsuit claims she weaponized false allegations to gain influence over the project.
The lawsuit also addresses the HR complaints Lively allegedly filed, which included stipulations such as “no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake” and “no further mentions of cast and crew’s genitalia.” Baldoni’s team denies these claims, stating that no formal complaint was ever presented or agreed upon.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, issued a fiery statement accusing The New York Times of abandoning journalistic integrity by favoring Lively’s narrative. “This is a vicious smear campaign orchestrated by Blake Lively and her team,” Freedman said. “We will expose the truth and hold all responsible parties accountable.”
The New York Times Defends Its Reporting
In response, The New York Times has stood by its story, insisting that it was thoroughly researched and based on extensive documentation, including emails and text messages.
A spokesperson stated, “Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. To date, neither Baldoni nor his team has pointed out any errors in the reporting.”
The publication has vowed to defend itself against the lawsuit and emphasized its commitment to following the facts.
Blake Lively Responds
Lively, for her part, remains steadfast in her allegations. Her attorney dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit as baseless, stating that it “does not change the facts” of her claims. Lively’s legal filings allege that Baldoni not only harassed her but also launched a campaign to harm her reputation when she tried to speak out.
In a prior statement, Lively said, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct.”
What’s Next?
This legal battle is far from over. With accusations flying on both sides and lawsuits stacking up, it’s clear that the fight will play out both in court and in the public eye.
For now, audiences are left watching as Hollywood’s drama spills over from the big screen into real life. Whether this will lead to meaningful accountability or further divides remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the truth will be put to the test.
