Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have filed contradictory lawsuits amid allegations of sexual harassment, sparking a complex legal battle tied to their film "It Ends With Us."
Lively and Baldoni Engage in Legal Battle Over Set Allegations
Lively and Baldoni Engage in Legal Battle Over Set Allegations
Competing lawsuits reveal deepening tensions between the stars of "It Ends With Us"
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have embarked on a contentious legal showdown, filing competing lawsuits that intensify the allegations stemming from their collaboration on the film "It Ends With Us." On Tuesday, Lively initiated a lawsuit in New York against Baldoni and his publicity team, claiming sexual harassment during production and asserting an orchestrated effort to "destroy" her reputation. In response, Baldoni has countered with a lawsuit against The New York Times, the outlet that first reported on Lively's claims, alleging that journalists collaborated with the actress to tarnish his image while disregarding evidence that contradicted her allegations.
The New York Times has firmly rebutted Baldoni's claims, asserting that their reporting was thorough and well-founded. Lively's lawsuit echoes many of the accusations in her previous civil rights complaint filed in California in December, seeking compensatory damages for "lost wages" and emotional distress, but she does not specify the amount she is requesting.
Baldoni’s lawsuit, the details of which were first spotlighted by Variety, revolves around charges of libel and fraud. He contends that the Times manipulated information in a manner that misrepresented his actions and motivations. The Times maintains that its article was based on an extensive review of documents, including accurate quotations from relevant communications.
The legal entanglement has already had consequences for Baldoni, whose talent agency severed ties with him following the public fallout from the article. Seeking a jury trial, Baldoni has claimed damages totaling $250 million (£199 million), suggesting that the newspaper facilitated a "smear campaign" to rehabilitate Lively's public image.
Allegations within Lively's suit detail that Baldoni and his representatives engaged in a targeted campaign against her post a meeting intended to resolve her claims of sexual harassment and misconduct. She purportedly presented 30 demands for maintaining a conducive working environment, including restrictions on certain language and the nature of intimate scenes. In high-stakes terms, Lively's legal team has accused Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of executing a "multi-tiered plan" aimed at discrediting her through strategic social media manipulation and friendly press coverage.
Baldoni's legal representatives have previously described Lively's allegations as "categorically false," asserting that their client had to hire a crisis manager due to her threats that could jeopardize the film’s production.
"It Ends With Us," released last summer, features Lively portraying a woman caught in a tumultuous relationship with Baldoni's character, drawing thematic inspiration from Colleen Hoover's novel, which examines the impact of domestic abuse. As this legal confrontation unfolds, the industry eagerly awaits the next developments that may reshape the public perceptions of both actors involved.
