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Blake Lively has initiated legal action against her It Ends with Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and accusing him of orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation. According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Lively claims that Baldoni's behavior on set caused her "severe emotional distress."
The allegations stem from incidents that reportedly occurred during the production of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel. Lively, 37, asserts that Baldoni, 40, created a hostile work environment, which prompted an all-hands meeting involving key stakeholders, including her husband, Ryan Reynolds, to address her grievances.
Claims Detailed in the Lawsuit
Lively's lawsuit outlines several demands aimed at curbing Baldoni's alleged misconduct. These included prohibitions against:
- Showing nude images or videos to Lively.
- Mentioning Baldoni's alleged "pornography addiction" or sexual conquests in front of her or others.
- Discussing the cast and crew's genitalia.
- Inquiring about Lively's weight.
- Referencing her deceased father.
Additional stipulations called for halting the addition of sex scenes, oral sex, or on-camera climaxing outside the scope of the agreed-upon script. Lively also expressed concerns about how her character's narrative would be marketed, favoring an emphasis on resilience over the darker themes of domestic violence that Baldoni allegedly pushed.
Sony Pictures, the film's distributor, reportedly approved Lively's demands. However, the lawsuit alleges that Baldoni retaliated with a "social manipulation" campaign to tarnish her reputation. Included in the evidence are texts from Baldoni's publicist stating, "We can't write we will destroy her," allegedly reflecting his intent.
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's lawyer, dismissed Lively's claims as a "false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious" attempt to rehabilitate her public image. Freedman further alleged that Lively's behavior on set contributed to the film's challenges, accusing her of threatening not to appear on set or promote the film, ultimately affecting its release and reception.
The legal battle has also reignited reports of on-set discord. Earlier this year, rumors circulated that Baldoni fostered a "chauvinistic" atmosphere, with cast members allegedly describing him as "borderline abusive." Insiders suggested that the rift between Lively and Baldoni became evident during the film's promotional tour.
The controversy surrounding It Ends with Us is a fascinating case as it involves a few themes in the original movie, which explores themes of love, abuse, and resilience, streams online, its release has been overshadowed by the off-screen conflict between its leading stars.
Neither Lively, Baldoni, nor Sony Pictures has provided further public comment on the matter.
