Actress Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against her It Ends with Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment during the film’s production. The lawsuit, which was reported by TMZ, outlines several instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by Baldoni, causing Lively severe emotional distress.
Allegations Detailed in Lawsuit
According to the lawsuit filed by Lively, 37, the accusations include Baldoni making inappropriate comments about her weight, engaging in discussions about sexual topics, and referencing his pornography addiction in front of cast and crew members. The suit also alleges Baldoni showed Lively explicit images and made inappropriate comments about the genitalia of others on set.
The allegations reportedly prompted Lively to request boundaries during a meeting attended by her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. The lawsuit claims Lively asked for measures including “no more showing nude videos or images,” “no additional sex scenes outside the approved script,” and “no further comments about her late father.”
Sony Pictures, the film’s distributor, approved these requests, according to TMZ. However, the lawsuit claims Baldoni later engaged in a “social manipulation” campaign to damage Lively’s reputation.
Baldoni’s Response
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, has denied the allegations, describing them as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” Freedman further alleged that Lively was “difficult” on set and accused her of threatening not to film or promote the movie, which he claimed impacted its release.
Production Tensions
The lawsuit comes months after reports of tension during the filming of It Ends with Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Representatives for Lively, Baldoni, and Sony Pictures have yet to comment on the lawsuit.
Industry Reactions Awaited
This legal battle has raised questions about workplace behavior in Hollywood, with industry figures closely watching the developments. The accusations underscore the ongoing discussions about ensuring safe and respectful environments on film sets.
Sources By Agencies
