Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director of the film “It Ends With Us,” alleging sexual harassment on set and a subsequent campaign to damage her reputation. The complaint, which was submitted to the California Civil Rights Department, names Baldoni, the studio involved in the film, and Baldoni’s publicists as defendants.
In the complaint, Lively claims that after she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, confronted Baldoni about alleged repeated sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior, a concocted plan was initiated to undermine her credibility. This plan supposedly involved discrediting her on social media and disseminating negative stories about her, while simultaneously boosting Baldoni’s public image.
Lively’s attorney alleges a coordinated effort to manipulate public perception and silence her complaints about a toxic work environment. The complaint outlines various demands made by Lively, such as the exclusion of explicit content during filming, the presence of an intimacy coordinator, and prohibitions on certain discussions regarding personal topics.
In response, Baldoni’s representative dismissed the claims as “completely false” and insinuated that Lively was making demands as a means to exert control during production. One notable demand included not discussing her personal beliefs or the death of her father.
Despite these serious allegations, Lively remains hopeful that her legal action will raise awareness about retaliatory tactics against individuals speaking out against misconduct, potentially aiding others who may face similar situations in Hollywood.
“It Ends With Us,” based on the popular novel by Colleen Hoover, had a successful box office debut, earning $50 million. However, the release was overshadowed by the ongoing discord between Lively and Baldoni. While Baldoni has distanced himself from promotional efforts for the film, Lively has taken the lead alongside Reynolds, who was simultaneously promoting his own project.
These events remind us of the importance of transparency and justice in the film industry, highlighting increasing awareness and accountability regarding harassment and misconduct in workplaces. As the situation unfolds, it could serve as a catalyst for positive change within the industry and encourage others to speak out against inappropriate behavior.