Why Justin Baldoni’s Reputation Is Taking A Hit

Let’s break down what’s happening between the two IEWU stars.

In late December 2024, Blake Lively filed a complaint detailing a string of alleged inappropriate behaviors by Justin Baldoni during the filming of It Ends With Us. Her claims range from sexual harassment – such as allegedly showing her explicit videos and entering her trailer while she was breastfeeding. Lively also accused Baldoni’s PR team of orchestrating a smear campaign against her when she raised concerns about his behavior. All of Lively’s allegations came to light after the New York Times wrote a piece on Baldoni and his team, showing text messages between them that alluded to a smear campaign. 

In response, Baldoni is filing a lawsuit against the publication for $250 million. His attorney, Bryan Freedman, has called the claims "false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious," further accusing Lively of using the allegations to rehabilitate her public image. Yet, Lively’s lawsuit has gained traction, with her federal complaint explicitly naming violations of workplace safety and harassment laws. And in case you were wondering, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, has been very much in the picture, reportedly confronting Baldoni at an all-hands meeting to address the hostile work environment.

According to Baldoni, the newspaper took messages out of context in its December 21 report on Lively’s allegations, painting him as guilty before any trial. His team claims the Times "relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative" and failed to review key evidence that would’ve contradicted her claims.

The Times, however, is standing firm and denies the claims. In a statement, they asserted their reporting was "meticulously and responsibly" done, based on "thousands of pages of original documents," and promised to defend themselves vigorously in court.

Twitter user @drugproblem, whose comprehensive thread on the controversy. Her take is that Lively’s original suit is exceptionally detailed, and Baldoni’s counterclaims don’t hold water. Here’s a snapshot of what’s in that thread:

• The January 2024 all-hands meeting addressed repeated instances of misconduct by Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath. This included allegations of sexual harassment, inappropriate conversations, and unwanted physical contact.

• Lively’s complaints weren’t limited to herself; she also brought up issues affecting other female cast and crew members.

• Baldoni allegedly retaliated by orchestrating a coordinated smear campaign against Lively, complete with astroturfing, fake social media accounts, and planted stories portraying her as difficult.

One particularly damning claim involves billionaire Steve Sarowitz, co-chairman of Wayfarer Studios, allegedly stating he was “prepared to spend $100 million to ruin the lives of Blake Lively and her family.”

Baldoni’s crisis management team reportedly pulled out all the stops. According to the thread, they engaged in "scenario planning" to control the narrative, with strategies ranging from creating fake fan accounts to suppressing allegations from other women. The PR efforts even included weaponizing Baldoni’s "neurodivergence" to explain away his behavior and pitching stories to media outlets to discredit Lively.

If these tactics sound extreme, that’s because they are. And while Baldoni’s lawsuit against The New York Times aims to challenge their portrayal of him, the Twitter thread’s detailed breakdown suggests there’s a lot more to this story than what’s in the headlines.

While Lively’s federal lawsuit moves forward, Baldoni’s own legal maneuvers aim to flip the script. But in the court of public opinion, the scales seem to be tipping against him, especially as more details emerge about the alleged retaliation and toxic work environment on the set of It Ends With Us.

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