Legal Showdown: Lively and Baldoni Battle Over Harassment Allegations

In a dramatic turn of events, stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have filed competing lawsuits amid allegations of harassment and a smear campaign, intensifying an already fraught situation following their film, It Ends With Us.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are embroiled in a legal confrontation following allegations regarding their time on set during the production of the film, It Ends With Us. On Tuesday, Lively initiated a lawsuit in New York against Baldoni and his public relations team, claiming that she faced sexual harassment during filming, as well as a coordinated effort to damage her reputation. In response, Baldoni filed his own suit against The New York Times, which first reported on Lively's claims, alleging the outlet collaborated with the actress to undermine his reputation and disregarded evidence that contradicted her accusations. The New York Times defended its reporting, stating it was based on thorough documentation.

Lively’s suit mirrors points made in her earlier civil rights complaint filed in California in December, requesting compensatory damages, including lost wages and compensation for "mental pain and anguish," although she does not disclose a specific monetary figure. Conversely, Baldoni's lawsuit against The New York Times, reported first by Variety, includes claims of libel and fraud. He accuses the publication of failing to allow his team adequate time to respond to significant allegations and utilizing "cherry picked" communications that distorted reality.

The New York Times has remarked that their report was grounded in an extensive review of original documents and included Baldoni's full statement in their coverage. Following the controversy, Baldoni was dropped by his talent agency. His legal actions seek $250 million in damages and a jury trial. Baldoni's attorney contended that The New York Times played a part in a smear campaign to restore Lively's declining public image.

Lively claims Baldoni's team undertook a systematic attack on her public persona after she allegedly presented 30 demands related to misconduct in a meeting aimed at addressing repeated harassment and other unwanted behaviors on set. These demands included prohibitions against vulgar descriptions and intimate scenes unauthorized by Lively. Lively’s legal team further mentions a tactic by Baldoni and his production house, Wayfarer, aiming to destroy her public standing through social media manipulation and supportive journalism.

Baldoni's defense maintains that Lively's allegations are blatantly false, asserting they had to employ a crisis manager following threats from her that could jeopardize film production. The narrative of their on-screen relationship is central to the film, which portrays Lively as a woman tangled in a relationship characterized by charm and abuse, based on the popular novel by Colleen Hoover, reflecting personal experiences of domestic adversity.