The ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni intensifies, with new footage sparking controversy and allegations.
In the latest development of a high-profile legal dispute, Blake Lively’s legal team has slammed the release of behind-the-scenes footage from the 2024 film It Ends With Us as a “harassment and retaliatory campaign.” This comes after attorneys for her co-star and director Justin Baldoni released a video to refute allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct on set.
The footage, made public on Jan. 21, shows Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 40, interacting during the filming of a dialogue-free scene. The clip, shared by TMZ, depicts the two joking out of character about Baldoni’s nose and Lively’s spray tan. Baldoni’s legal team argued that the video contradicts Lively’s claims of a hostile work environment.
However, Lively’s attorneys countered, stating that the video “corroborates, to the letter,” the allegations outlined in her Dec. 20 lawsuit. According to her legal filing, Baldoni engaged in “disturbing” and “unprofessional” behavior, creating a toxic and unsafe working environment during the production of the Colleen Hoover adaptation.
In her lawsuit, Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate behavior during a slow dance scene, where he allegedly leaned forward, dragged his lips along her neck, and remarked, “It smells so good.” She further claimed that Baldoni later dismissed her objections by saying, “I’m not even attracted to you.”
The video release has not swayed Lively’s legal team, who argue that it shows Baldoni “repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, caressing her, and commenting on her scent.” They noted that these actions were improvised without her consent and in the absence of an intimacy coordinator.
“Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognize Ms. Lively’s discomfort,” her legal team stated. “No woman should have to take defensive measures to avoid being touched by their employer without consent.”
Baldoni, who also served as the director and head of the studio for It Ends With Us, has denied the allegations and filed his own lawsuits. On Dec. 31, he sued The New York Times for libel over its coverage of the allegations. On Jan. 16, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation suit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, claiming they orchestrated a smear campaign against him.
In the released video, Baldoni’s legal team highlighted moments where Lively joked about his nose and referenced plastic surgery, which they claim undermines her allegations of a hostile work environment.
Lively’s lawyers criticized the release of the footage as “an unethical attempt to manipulate the public.” They accused Baldoni’s team of prioritizing “misleading media narratives” over addressing the allegations in court.
“While they are focused on manufactured media stunts, we are focused on the legal process,” Lively’s statement read. “We are continuing our efforts to require Mr. Baldoni and his associates to answer in court, under oath.”
The dispute shows no signs of abating. Baldoni’s attorneys have promised to launch a website containing “all correspondence as well as relevant videos” to counter Lively’s claims. Meanwhile, Lively’s legal team remains committed to pursuing justice through the courts.
This high-stakes legal battle underscores the broader issues of workplace safety and power dynamics in the entertainment industry, with each side resolute in their claims and defenses.