Drama in Hollywood heats up as Justin Baldoni accuses Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively of publicly humiliating him. The director and actor, known for It Ends With Us, has filed a massive $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing them of falsely reporting sexual harassment allegations made by Lively.
In the lawsuit, Baldoni also targets Ryan Reynolds, blasting the actor for aggressively berating him during a meeting at the couple’s New York penthouse. This confrontation reportedly took place in front of their celebrity friends, making the situation even more uncomfortable.
The controversial Incident
According to Baldoni’s legal filing on December 31, the altercation unfolded after Lively accused him of sexual harassment on the It Ends With Us set. Baldoni maintains the accusations are completely false and claims he was merely inquiring about Lively’s weight for safety reasons. His goal? To avoid any injury while filming a physically demanding scene.
In his suit, Baldoni explains that during the preparations for a lift scene, he asked Lively’s trainer about her weight. This was to ensure he could lift her without hurting his back, as Baldoni suffers from back issues. He insists his question was entirely reasonable, but things quickly spiraled out of control.
According to Baldoni, the trainer shared this inquiry with Lively, who allegedly passed the information along to Reynolds. This triggered an aggressive confrontation. Baldoni describes the exchange as “inappropriate and humiliating,” and says Reynolds accused him of “fat-shaming” his wife. As the argument grew heated, Baldoni claims he apologized repeatedly to avoid further escalation. Despite his apologies, Lively reportedly refused to perform the lift scene, even though it had already been rehearsed with a stunt double.
Baldoni defends himself
Baldoni is adamant that his question had nothing to do with insulting Lively’s body. Instead, he says, it was a simple and necessary inquiry to ensure the safety of the scene. The director’s back issues made lifting Lively a potentially risky move, so he wanted to confirm he could do it without injury.
However, Lively’s reaction to the situation was far different. In her own legal complaint filed on December 31, she accused Baldoni of body-shaming her. She claims that Baldoni secretly contacted her fitness trainer to discuss her weight before filming began, even though she had just given birth to her fourth child. Lively felt humiliated by Baldoni’s actions, especially since she was still recovering from childbirth.
Lively’s lawsuit also accused Baldoni of sending repeated criticisms about her body and age. She claims that Baldoni went out of his way to express concerns about her weight, which she had no control over during filming.
Ryan Reynolds responds
The situation escalated when Ryan Reynolds became involved. According to Baldoni, Reynolds “aggressively” confronted him during a meeting at their penthouse, accusing him of fat-shaming Lively. Baldoni claims that Reynolds’ anger was so intense that it left him feeling intimidated and humiliated. This confrontation allegedly took place in front of the couple’s friends, adding to the discomfort of the situation.
Baldoni says he tried to de-escalate the situation, offering multiple apologies. But the damage was done. His attempt to smooth things over was not enough to prevent the fallout. After the meeting, Lively reportedly refused to go forward with the lift scene, even though it had already been rehearsed with a stunt double.
Blake Lively’s legal Action
In response to Baldoni’s actions, Lively filed her own lawsuit on December 31. She accuses Baldoni of consistently finding ways to criticize her body, particularly her weight. She claims that Baldoni’s comments were not just hurtful but also undermined her confidence during a difficult period in her life, as she had just given birth.
Lively’s legal filing paints Baldoni as someone who deliberately undermined her, even going so far as to contact her trainer without her knowledge. She believes this was an attempt to pressure her into losing weight in a short time frame, which she found both invasive and humiliating.
The Media Battle: Baldoni vs. The New York Times
The conflict doesn’t stop there. Baldoni is also fighting back against The New York Times, who published the sexual harassment allegations from Lively. Baldoni claims the article, which came out in December, was full of falsehoods and was published with the intent to damage his reputation.
In his lawsuit against the media giant, Baldoni seeks $250 million in damages, arguing that the publication knowingly spread false information. The New York Times, however, has defended its reporting. The paper stands by its investigation, stating that the story was “meticulously and responsibly reported,” based on thousands of pages of original documents, including text messages and emails.
What’s next for the Stars?
This legal battle is far from over. Both parties have a long road ahead in terms of defending their reputations. The stakes are high, with both Baldoni and Lively fighting for their dignity and careers. As the lawsuits continue to unfold, the public eagerly watches for more developments.
