Blake Lively has initiated legal proceedings against her co-star from It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni, citing allegations of sexual harassment and an alleged effort to damage her public image. The legal documents assert that following a meeting aimed at addressing previous incidents of harassment involving Baldoni and a producer, Lively faces targeted attacks against her reputation.
Lively’s legal complaint states that she brought her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to the January 4 meeting to confront Baldoni and the film’s production team concerning repeated inappropriate behaviors. In response, Baldoni’s legal representatives have declared the accusations to be "categorically false," claiming that a crisis manager was necessary because Lively allegedly threatened to disrupt the film’s production unless her demands were satisfied.
In the film, Lively plays a character entangled in a tumultuous relationship with a charismatic yet abusive boyfriend, portrayed by Baldoni. The January meeting aimed to address what was described as a "hostile work environment" on set.
The lawsuit further alleges that both Baldoni and Jamey Heath, the chief executive officer of Wayfarer Studios, engaged in inappropriate behavior towards Lively. A series of 30 demands was reportedly outlined at the meeting, seeking to ensure a safe working environment, including requests to cease discussing their alleged "pornography addiction," refraining from sharing personal anatomical details, and preventing the inclusion of explicit scenes not previously agreed upon in the script.
Additionally, Lively requested that Baldoni refrain from making comments about communicating with her deceased father.
The legal documents suggest a "multi-tiered plan" orchestrated by Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios intended to tarnish Lively’s reputation as retaliation for her complaints regarding the workplace environment.
Baldoni’s attorney described Lively’s claims as harmful and noted an array of threats she allegedly made concerning her attendance and promotion of the film. In her statement, Lively expressed hope that her actions would bring attention to retaliatory tactics against individuals who speak out about misconduct in the industry.
Despite the controversy surrounding its production, It Ends With Us found commercial success, though some critics raised concerns about its portrayal of domestic violence. Speculation about tensions between Lively and Baldoni grew following their absence from each other’s red carpet appearances and public events after the film’s release.
Adapted from the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover, It Ends With Us tells the poignant story of Lily Bloom, a Boston florist navigating a challenging romantic triangle involving her emotionally abusive partner and her first love. Hoover’s narrative draws inspiration from her mother’s experiences with domestic violence.
At the film’s premiere, Lively expressed her commitment to honoring the source material and conveyed her belief that the film encapsulates a wide range of human emotions, from joy to tragedy, ultimately portraying life’s complexities.