Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star Justin Baldoni For Sexual Harassment

The legal battle comes on the heels of a tumultuous press tour where Lively was cast as a "diva" in the public eye, while Baldoni largely emerged as the hero in the narrative.

Fans were initially thrilled by the casting of Lively and Baldoni, two industry darlings. However, as trailers rolled out and press interviews began, the narrative surrounding the film took a sharp turn. Lively was painted as difficult, with tabloids highlighting supposed tension on set and reports of her making demands about everything from costumes to promotional commitments.

Baldoni, meanwhile, was praised as the grounded director, often described as more serious in his efforts to bring Hoover’s story to life. His depiction in the press positioned him as a contrast to Lively, whose portrayal of Lily Bloom faced criticism for being too shallow or "opportunistic."

Lively's lawsuit details several instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by Baldoni during the film's production. She claims that Baldoni engaged in actions such as showing her explicit videos and images of other women, discussing his past pornography addiction, making unsolicited comments about her weight, and referencing her late father. These actions, according to Lively, created a hostile work environment that caused her and her family severe emotional distress. 

The situation reportedly escalated to the point where an all-hands meeting was convened to address the hostile work environment. Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds, attended this meeting, during which specific demands were made to cease the inappropriate behavior. Despite assurances from the studio, Lively alleges that Baldoni subsequently orchestrated a smear campaign to damage her reputation, particularly concerning the film's marketing strategy. 

In response to the lawsuit, Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, has categorically denied the allegations, describing them as "false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt." Freedman further accused Lively of attempting to "fix her negative reputation" through these claims. 

The off-screen tensions between Lively and Baldoni were a topic of public speculation for months, especially given their noticeable absence from joint promotional activities for It Ends With Us. Despite the behind-the-scenes discord, the film has achieved significant commercial success, grossing over $350 million worldwide. 

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