Bussiness
The 5 biggest allegations from Blake Lively’s complaint against Justin Baldoni
- “It Ends with Us” star Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against Justin Baldoni, her costar and the film’s director.
- Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliation, and attempting to damage her reputation.
- Baldoni’s attorney said the claims made in Lively’s lawsuit were “completely false” and “intentionally salacious.”
“It Ends with Us” star Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint against the film’s director and her costar, Justin Baldoni, for sexual harassment.
Lively and Baldoni dominated entertainment headlines this summer as they promoted “It Ends with Us,” a romantic drama based on Colleen Hoover’s book. However, much of the attention shifted from the film’s premiere to the tension between Lively and Baldoni. Fans online said they noticed the pair’s strain during the press tour. By the press tour’s end, Lively was navigating a negative backlash.
Lively, who produced the film alongside Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, played Lily Bloom. Baldoni played Ryle Kincaid and directed the film.
Lively’s complaint said Baldoni engaged in sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, inflicted “emotional distress,” and conspired to damage her public reputation. It named six other defendants, including Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath and cofounder Steve Sarowitz. Crisis communications professional Melissa Nathan, publicist Jennifer Abel, and a Texas-based contractor named Jed Wallace were also named.
“Ms. Lively never sought out conflict with Wayfarer, Ms. Baldoni, or Mr. Heath, but instead consistently attempted to speak up for a safe and respectful workplace privately in the hopes of protecting herself, as well as the cast and crew, without jeopardizing a film that she believed could make a difference in people’s lives,” the complaint says. “In response, Mr. Baldoni, Mr. Heath, and those working for them, sought to destroy Ms. Lively and anyone else who knew the truth.”
Here’s a breakdown of the five biggest bombshells in Lively’s complaint.