Actress Blake Lively has leveled serious allegations of sexual harassment against her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, related to their work on the film adaptation of It Ends With Us. According to a report from TMZ, Lively has filed a lawsuit claiming that Baldoni’s actions during production caused her severe emotional distress.
The lawsuit, which was filed on December 20, 2024, includes several detailed claims of inappropriate behavior on Baldoni’s part. In addition to the harassment claims, Taylor Swift's name has surfaced in court documents related to Lively’s lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, Baldoni's crisis management team had devised a strategy that included targeting Lively’s public image. This strategy allegedly involved using the overlap between Lively’s fanbase and Swift’s to manipulate public opinion.
In an email dated August 6, 2024, a crisis management expert from Baldoni’s team discussed the potential impact of their shared fanbases, stating, “BL does have some of the same TS fanbase, so we will be taking it extremely seriously.” The documents further suggest that the strategy aimed to exploit narratives related to "the weaponization of feminism," allegedly attempting to discredit Lively by connecting her to Swift. This tactic also appeared to include manipulating public opinion to harm Lively’s reputation.
Social Media Manipulation and Retaliation
Lively’s lawsuit also reveals that Baldoni’s team had reportedly planned to plant damaging stories on social media to harm her reputation. Text messages submitted in the lawsuit discuss using viral posts and high-profile examples, such as Hailey Bieber’s alleged history of bullying women, to smear Lively’s image.
The lawsuit claims that these actions were part of a broader "digital retaliation campaign" designed to publicly shame Lively and undermine her credibility.
Baldoni’s Response and Legal Defense
Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has vehemently denied the allegations, calling Lively’s claims “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” Freedman further argued that the lawsuit was an attempt by Lively to repair her reputation, alleging that she had made demands and threats during the film’s production. Baldoni’s legal team also suggested that Lively’s actions were partly responsible for the struggles of the film’s production.
Lively, on the other hand, has denied any retaliatory actions against Baldoni and clarified that her legal action is meant to expose the “sinister retaliatory tactics” used against her. She emphasized that the lawsuit is intended to protect others who may face similar situations in the industry.
Baldoni Parting Ways with Talent Agency
Following the filing of the lawsuit, Justin Baldoni has reportedly parted ways with his talent agency, WME. As of now, Taylor Swift’s representatives have not commented on the situation.
This legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has garnered significant attention, with both sides presenting contrasting claims and raising questions about the nature of workplace behavior and public relations tactics in Hollywood.
