Blake Lively Sues "It Ends with Us" Co-Star Justin Baldoni
Rumors about behind-the-scenes conflicts during the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel It Ends with Us began circulating as early as last summer. Tensions between lead actress Blake Lively (37) and co-star and director Justin Baldoni (40) became increasingly apparent during the press tour for the film's release. Months later, Lively has now filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment.
TMZ Obtains Documents with Allegations
According to documents obtained by U.S. gossip outlet TMZ, the actress claims that Baldoni’s alleged behavior caused her "severe emotional distress." The documents describe a meeting held to address Lively's allegations and demands for their professional collaboration on the film. Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds (48), also reportedly attended this meeting.
The demands reportedly included requests such as "no more showing Blake nude videos or images of women, no mention of Baldoni's alleged former 'porn addiction,' no further discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake or others, no further mentions of the genitals of cast and crew, no more inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mentions of Blake’s deceased father," according to TMZ.
Additionally, Lively is said to have insisted on "no addition of sex scenes, oral sex, or climaxes on camera by BL outside the scope of the script agreed upon when BL signed on to the project."
The documents also state that Sony Pictures, the studio distributing the film, approved Lively's requests. However, the lawsuit alleges that Baldoni subsequently participated in a campaign of "social manipulation" aimed at "ruining her reputation."
Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Responds
Justin Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told the outlet that Lively is using the lawsuit to "improve her negative reputation." He added that her allegations are "false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious, designed to harm the public." The attorney also claimed that Lively caused issues on set by "threatening not to appear on set or promote the film, ultimately leading to its failure upon release."
Rift Between Baldoni and Lively
Rumors of a rift between Baldoni and the rest of the cast arose during the promotional tour when he was noticeably absent from photos with the other actors. Additionally, neither Lively nor author Colleen Hoover follows Baldoni on Instagram. According to The Hollywood Reporter, disagreements during post-production led to two different versions of the film.
Lively also accused Baldoni of asking his trainer about her weight, which she perceived as fat-shaming. Baldoni reportedly claimed he needed accurate information to train properly due to back issues, as he had to lift her in the film.
Meanwhile, Lively faced criticism for her promotional efforts, as the movie primarily focuses on domestic violence. Fans criticized her for presenting an inaccurate image by wearing bright floral outfits during public appearances, which they felt marketed the film as a lighthearted romantic comedy rather than a serious story about domestic violence.
