Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliation in Bombshell legal filing
In a shocking legal filing, It ends with us star Blake is lively is claiming that its co-star/director Justin Baldoni and a producer of the film hired a public relations team to turn the tide of public opinion against her. According to Lively, the smear campaign is believed to be a retaliatory measure after Baldoni and the producers James Heath engaged in “repeated sexual harassment and other disruptive behavior,” the lawsuit states, during production of the comic book adaptation. Colleen Hoovernovel of 2016that is fame is hindered by rumors Trouble on set.
The 80-page administrative complaint, filed in California Civil Court on Friday and obtained by Vanity fair, follows a filing made the same day by Lively’s legal team with California’s Department of Civil Rights. Instead of asking state investigators to look into the allegations, Lively requested the right to sue immediately. That permission has been granted, sources familiar with the matter said Vanity fair.
According to the complaint, while filming for It ends with us was set to continue after the interruption prompted by Hollywood strike in 2023Blake Lively’s attorneys have sent a letter to the film’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, demanding an end to what the complaint describes as a “hostile work environment.” In a subsequent “all-hands” meeting in January of this year, according to the complaint, Lively told a group that included Baldoni, several of the film’s producers and studio executives, as well as her husband. by Lively, Ryan Reynoldsthat Baldoni improvised extra kisses during the scenes. She requested an end to “further sex scenes, oral sex, or on-camera climax,” the complaint alleges, and both parties agreed to set some boundaries before resuming filming. movie.
But although the list of regulations includes a prohibition on retaliation against Lively for making those complaints, the complaint alleges that Baldoni, Heath and others in Wayfarer hired public relations strategists to created a campaign to erode public trust in Lively, a preemptive move in case Lively’s on-set allegations were leaked to the public.
As first reported via New York TimesText messages and emails that Lively’s team received via subpoena included messages between public relations, crisis communications and communications management professionals that appeared to detail a series of coordinated effort to spread negative stories about Lively in the media and increase social media posts criticizing the star. After implementing the strategy, according to the complaint, one journalist wrote to another: “And social media is really going strong…. To benefit him, she must be very angry. That’s really sad because it just shows that there are people who really want to hate women.”
Those who follow the social media spin on the domestic abuse drama are likely aware of the truth of that observation. Although the film was a box office success, it was also the source of endless fan speculation after Baldoni appeared to be absent from most promotions involving the cast. cast, including a video the cast made. Vanity fair.
At one point, the outrage—much of which seemed aimed at defaming Lively—reached the point where Lively’s sister was protested. forced to protect her online. However, it remains unclear whether any social media stories criticizing Lively were a result of the alleged campaign.
Lively’s attorneys declined additional comment on the filing, referring us to the complaint. In a written statement shared with the media, Lively said: “I hope that my legal action will help lift the curtain on these sinister revenge tactics aimed at harming those who come forward.” reputation for misconduct and help protect others who may be targets.”
When contacted for comment, Bryan FreedmanJustin Baldoni’s attorney, Wayfarer Studios and all of their representatives deny Lively’s allegations via written statement. “These statements are completely false, outrageous and intentionally obscene,” he wrote. “Wayfarer Studios made the proactive decision to hire a crisis manager in advance of the film’s marketing campaign… due to Ms. Lively’s numerous demands and threats during production.” According to Freedman, “No proactive measures were taken with the media or otherwise; just internal scenario planning.”
