Director Justin Baldoni has issued a fiery response to Blake Lively after she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him, accusing the actor of attempting to salvage her reputation following negative press surrounding their film It Ends With Us.
The lawsuit alleges Baldoni made sexual comments about cast and crew, showed explicit images, and discussed his alleged porn addiction during filming. Lively also accused him of fostering a toxic workplace, making inappropriate remarks about her weight and late father, and adding unwanted explicit scenes to the movie.
Baldoni Fires Back
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, slammed the lawsuit as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious,” claiming Lively’s legal action is an attempt to repair her image after being criticized for alleged diva-like behavior during filming. Freedman alleged Lively threatened to boycott the set and refuse to promote the film, contributing to its lackluster reception.
Behind the Scenes Tensions
Reports of tension between Lively and Baldoni surfaced long before the lawsuit. Lively allegedly called for crisis talks during production, attended by her husband Ryan Reynolds, to address the director’s behavior. Documents reveal she demanded an end to sexualized additions to the script and stricter boundaries on set.
Despite studio concessions, disputes over the movie’s marketing further strained their relationship. Lively reportedly pushed for a lighter promotional tone, while Baldoni wanted to focus on the film’s themes of domestic violence.
Public Feud and Social Media Fallout
Fans noticed icy interactions between Lively and Baldoni during press events, fueling rumors of a feud. According to Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni’s team launched a campaign to tarnish her reputation, with text messages allegedly suggesting efforts to “bury” her publicly.
Lively also faced backlash for perceived insensitivity during interviews promoting the film, including accusations of dismissing its serious subject matter. Resurfaced clips from past interviews added to the criticism, painting her as “tone deaf” and “rude.”
Insider Insights
Sources described on-set clashes between the two leads, with one insider alleging Baldoni dismissed Lively’s input during scenes involving abuse, focusing instead on the male perspective. The director was accused of having a “chauvinistic” approach to the topic, further inflaming tensions.
A Film Clouded by Controversy
It Ends With Us, released in August, became one of the year’s most talked-about films—but for all the wrong reasons. Both Lively and Baldoni now find themselves at the center of a legal and public relations storm, with their representatives declining to comment on the escalating drama.
