The feud between Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni has reached a boiling point, with reports indicating Baldoni is preparing a countersuit following Lively’s explosive legal complaint filed last week.
On December 20, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her, filing an 80-page complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. Baldoni, alongside Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath and others named in the filing, denies the allegations and is now reportedly gearing up for legal retaliation.
Baldoni’s Countersuit Allegations
According to the UK’s Daily Mail, Baldoni’s team plans to submit their lawsuit after the New Year, citing several key claims:
- Lively’s PR team, led by Leslie Sloane of Vision PR, allegedly initiated the smear campaign against Baldoni.
- WhatsApp messages presented in Lively’s complaint were taken out of context.
- Lively’s publicist is accused of planting negative stories about Baldoni to the media.
- The legal move is allegedly an effort to repair Lively’s image following poor press during the film’s promotional campaign.
The countersuit is expected to feature evidence refuting Lively’s claims and presenting a narrative of media manipulation.
Industry Fallout and Rising Tensions
The fallout has been significant for Baldoni. Since Lively’s initial filing, he has faced professional consequences, including being dropped by WME, having a women’s solidarity award revoked, and losing his podcast co-host. Additionally, Baldoni is now battling a separate lawsuit from his ex-publicist.
Meanwhile, Lively has received support from Hollywood insiders and industry figures. In her initial statement, she expressed hope that her actions would expose “sinister retaliatory tactics” and protect others facing similar situations.
A War of Words and Legal Maneuvers
The battle has played out in the press, with both sides trading barbs. Leslie Sloane, Lively’s PR representative, denied any role in fueling the controversy, stating:
“It’s clear Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are falsely suggesting I originated press stories about HR complaints on set. Please read Ms. Lively’s complaint for the full details.”
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, teased an explosive legal response:
“When we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative. It will tell the true story with real evidence.”
Box Office Success Amid Turmoil
Despite the ongoing legal saga, It Ends With Us — based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel — has been a financial triumph, grossing over $350 million on a $25 million budget. The film, which delves into themes of domestic abuse, now carries an added layer of drama as its stars’ real-life conflict continues to unravel.
With lawsuits expected to pile up and tensions at an all-time high, the coming weeks promise to bring more revelations in this Hollywood legal showdown.
