Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Engage in Legal Battle Over Harassment Allegations

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have both initiated lawsuits against each other and a major publication, igniting a contentious legal battle fueled by allegations of harassment and character defamation stemming from their recent film collaboration.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have plunged into a legal quagmire as they file rival lawsuits entangled in allegations of harassment and character defamation linked to their film, It Ends With Us, released last summer. Lively, in a lawsuit filed in New York, has accused Baldoni and his publicity team of sexual harassment during filming and of conducting a campaign to "destroy" her public image. Baldoni, for his part, has launched a lawsuit against The New York Times, which was the first to report on Lively's allegations, claiming that its journalists colluded with Lively to tarnish his name and disregarded evidence that contradicted her assertions.

The New York Times has vigorously denied Baldoni's allegations, maintaining that their reporting was thorough and responsible. Lively’s case, which echoes many claims outlined in her previous civil rights complaint filed in California, seeks unspecified compensatory damages for "lost wages" and "mental pain and anguish.” Meanwhile, Baldoni's lawsuit against the Times contends libel and fraud, arguing that the publication manipulated communications to mislead the public and that it failed to afford his team adequate time to respond to the allegations.

After the initial allegations came to light, Baldoni’s talent agency severed ties with him. He is asking for $250 million in damages and a jury trial, asserting that the Times participated in a “smear campaign" that aimed to revitalize Lively’s public image.

Lively’s legal team claims that Baldoni and his production company orchestrated tactics to undermine her reputation once she presented a list of 30 demands to address what she described as "repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior." In an incident described by Lively, this list included restrictions on on-set descriptions of genitalia and intimate scenes not previously approved by her. In contrast, Baldoni's lawyers have dismissed Lively's claims as "categorically false," asserting that they engaged a crisis manager due to her alleged threats to derail the film unless her demands were met.

The film It Ends With Us, adapted from a popular novel by author Colleen Hoover, portrays a woman in a tumultuous relationship with a charming but abusive partner, played by Baldoni. Hoover's novel draws inspiration from her own experiences with domestic abuse, adding an eerie layer to the unfolding legal drama. As this story develops, representatives from Lively, Baldoni, and The New York Times have yet to provide further comments.