Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni: Allegations of Consent Issues
Blake Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her co-star in *It Ends With Us*. The suit claims Baldoni admitted he did not "always" request consent before engaging in sexual relations with previous partners.
The submitted lawsuit, acquired by *Us Weekly* on December 21, asserts that Baldoni, who also directed the film, along with producer Jamey Heath, discussed their sexual history, including a past pornography addiction, while trying to persuade Lively to share intimate details of her life. The allegations detail a specific incident during a car ride among Lively, her assistant, and Baldoni, where he claimed to Lively that he had been sexually abused by a former girlfriend. Baldoni reportedly asserted this experience prompted him to re-evaluate his past behaviors.
In the documents, Baldoni confessed to Lively, "Did I always ask for consent? No. Did I always listen when they said no? No." He went on to mention that it showcased a chance for everyone to learn and grow from experiences. Following this disclosure, Lively noted that her driver emphasized a concern for her safety, stating he didn’t want her alone with Baldoni in the future.
Lively filed her complaint on December 20, alleging Baldoni created a "hostile work environment" during production, causing her severe emotional distress. She accused Baldoni and his team of orchestrating a smear campaign intended to tarnish her reputation.
The lawsuit mentions a January meeting aimed at discussing Lively's complaints concerning Baldoni. She requested that Baldoni cease showing nude videos or images of women, discussing his past addiction to pornography, and making inappropriate comments. She forbade inquiries about her weight or mentions of her deceased father as well.
Court documents touch on improvised physical contact in scenes bridging Lively’s and Baldoni’s characters. Baldoni allegedly executed unscripted physical interactions that were not rehearsed, without involving an intimacy coordinator. Notably, he discreetly bit and kissed Lively’s lower lip multiple times in one instance and pushed to reshoot the scene extensively without notifying her or obtaining consent.
Lively's concerns weren't personal; she indicated they encompassed the broader safety of the female cast and crew, pointing out that others had raised similar issues. Within the lawsuit, documents revealed that complaints emerged, notably one from another female cast member on May 29, 2023, citing "gross" and "unwanted comments" made by Baldoni.
Baldoni later acknowledged the actress's expressed concerns, stating he would modify his behavior accordingly. Despite this, she relayed to Lively that, outside of scripted scenes, any communication with Baldoni was impossible. Baldoni further expressed suspicion about Lively’s relationship with this actress, implying they conspired against him.
In response to these allegations, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman labeled Lively’s claims as "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious." He suggested that she filed the lawsuit primarily to rehabilitate her damaged reputation while attempting to manipulate the narrative surrounding the film's production.
Since the filing of her complaint, Lively has garnered support from several key figures linked to the film, including author Colleen Hoover, who publicly praised Lively’s strength. She also supported Lively in her efforts not to be repressed.
Lively clarified her objectives, stating, "I hope that my legal action helps expose these harmful retaliatory actions against those who report misconduct." She denied any role in spreading negative information about Baldoni.
Earlier, SSP wrote that Jay Leno revealed a disturbing sleep routine.
