Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment; talent agency drops Baldoni amid growing fallout

In a stunning turn of events, Blake Lively has filed a sexual harassment complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, alleging inappropriate behavior and a retaliatory smear campaign. The allegations, detailed in a formal complaint obtained by Varietyaccuse Baldoni of causing “severe emotional harm” to Lively and her family, sparking significant controversy within the industry.

Baldoni’s legal team, led by Bryan Freedman, swiftly refuted the accusations, describing the claims as “shameful” and filled with “categorically false accusations.”

According to the complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department, a pivotal meeting took place in January 2024 to address Lively’s grievances as production resumed following the actors’ and writers’ strikes. Notably, Lively’s husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, attended the meeting alongside other key stakeholders.

Lively’s complaint outlines a series of troubling incidents involving Baldoni and Jamey Heath, the CEO of Wayfarer Studios and a producer on It Ends With Us. Among the allegations, Lively claims Baldoni commented on her weight to her trainer, pressed her about her religious beliefs, and shared details about his sex life. Additionally, Lively alleges Heath inappropriately showed her a video of his wife giving birth. The complaint further states that Baldoni and Heath repeatedly entered her makeup trailer without consent, including moments when Lively was breastfeeding her child.

“These concerns were not only for herself but for other female cast and crew, some of whom had also spoken up,” the complaint reads.

Lively reportedly requested that Baldoni refrain from adding sex scenes beyond those initially approved in the script. Sony Pictures, the film’s distributor, agreed to Lively’s terms. However, the complaint accuses Baldoni of retaliatory actions, including orchestrating a “social manipulation” campaign to tarnish Lively’s reputation.

Baldoni’s team issued a forceful denial. “These claims are completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious,” Freedman said. He further accused Lively of attempting to “fix” her public image by fabricating allegations.

Freedman’s statement also revealed that Wayfarer Studios preemptively hired a crisis manager due to ongoing tensions with Lively during production. “Her demands and threats, including refusing to promote the film or attend set, led to proactive scenario planning by the studio,” Freedman claimed.

Despite the film’s box office success, grossing $350 million globally, rumors of discord between Lively and Baldoni loomed large during the promotional tour. The pair notably avoided joint appearances, further fueling speculation.

Lively’s complaint alleges Baldoni and Heath discussed intimate details of their sexual histories and pornography addictions, creating a hostile work environment. In a particularly unsettling claim, Lively accuses Baldoni of asserting that he could communicate with her late father, Ernie Lively, who passed away in 2021.

“It was off-putting and violative for Mr. Baldoni to claim a personal relationship with her recently deceased father,” the complaint states.

In response to the escalating controversy, WME has officially parted ways with Baldoni. The agency’s decision was reportedly made “in part due to the severity” of the allegations. WME continues to represent Lively.

As the fallout continues, Lively expressed hope that her legal action will illuminate broader issues within the industry. “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct,” Lively stated to The New York Times.

With It Ends With Us becoming a major hit, questions now loom over the prospects of a sequel adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Starts With Us. Insiders speculate that given the rift between Lively and Baldoni, further collaboration is unlikely.