Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against her It Ends with Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her reputation. The complaint alleges that Baldoni engaged in inappropriate behaviour during the film’s production, including unwanted physical contact and offensive comments. After Lively raised concerns about the work environment, she claims Baldoni, along with producer Jamey Heath, retaliated by hiring public relations professionals to spread false and harmful narratives about her online. Lively has provided evidence, including text messages where Baldoni allegedly discussed strategies to tarnish her image by emulating negative publicity tactics used against other celebrities on platforms like Reddit and Instagram.
Baldoni’s legal team has denied the accusations, describing them as baseless and an attempt by Lively to salvage her own reputation. They argue that any public relations efforts were standard responses to her demands, not part of a targeted campaign. The lawsuit also mentions involvement from Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, who reportedly intervened to address Baldoni’s behaviour. Despite the controversy, It Ends with Us has been a commercial success, grossing over $350 million worldwide. Lively’s legal action seeks to highlight retaliatory practices in the industry and advocate for safer, more respectful working environments.