Blake Lively Files Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni for Emotional Distress

Blake Lively has initiated a formal lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. This follows her previous legal complaint about sexual harassment and retaliation.

Last week, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, as reported by The New York Times. Now, she has escalated the matter by suing Baldoni, alleging mental pain, severe emotional distress, and lost wages. She also included Baldoni's team members in the lawsuit.

In addition to Baldoni, Lively is suing crisis manager Melissa Nathan and publicist Jennifer Abel. The lawsuit also targets Wayfarer Studios, the production company for It Ends With Us.

The lawsuit mirrors Lively's earlier complaint, citing sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior during filming.

Recently, Baldoni took legal action of his own. He is among ten plaintiffs who filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times over an article covering Lively's harassment allegations.

The legal documents claim, "Notably, Lively chose not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer, or any Plaintiffs," adding that this decision protected her from scrutiny during the discovery process.

Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's lawyer, criticized The Times, asserting they succumbed to demands from influential Hollywood figures. He accused the publication of using manipulated texts and lacking journalistic integrity.

Regarding the lawsuit against The New York Times, Lively's attorney stated, "Nothing in this lawsuit changes any claims in Ms. Lively’s California Civil Rights Department Complaint." They emphasized that Lively's original complaints were valid and expressed willingness to address accusations in court.

In her initial complaint, Lively described a hostile work environment during filming. Additionally, she accused Baldoni of involvement in a smear campaign against her, which he has denied.

Lively claimed the on-set atmosphere heightened to such an extent that a meeting was called, attended by her husband Ryan Reynolds, to discuss Baldoni's conduct.

Baldoni's attorney has characterized Lively’s claims as false attempts to repair her public image. He labeled them "outrageous" and "salacious," aiming to damage Baldoni's reputation.

Lively, however, believes her actions can expose harmful tactics against individuals who speak out about misconduct. She hopes her legal stance will aid in protecting others who may face similar retaliation.

Earlier, SSP reported that Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's relationship reportedly drama-free.