Actress Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint accusing her “It Ends With Us” co-star Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of a coordinated smear campaign designed to tarnish her public image. The legal filing, which details disturbing allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct on set, claims that Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, were forced to address the hostile work environment during a meeting in January 2024.
In her complaint, Lively, 37, alleges that Baldoni, 40, and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath engaged in “unwelcome behavior” that created a toxic atmosphere on set. The legal action follows a meeting where Lively and Reynolds reportedly presented a list of demands in response to the misconduct, which Lively claims included sexually inappropriate comments and attempts to manipulate her role in the film.
Lively’s attorneys have accused Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of orchestrating a “multi-tiered plan” to retaliate against her for speaking out. They allege that the goal of this scheme was to silence Lively and others from addressing the alleged hostile work environment. The actress has also denied accusations from Baldoni’s legal team, which claims Lively had threatened to sabotage the film’s release if her demands weren’t met.
“It’s deeply troubling that my public efforts to shed light on this misconduct have been met with such a calculated attack on my reputation,” Lively said in a statement via her legal team. “I hope my legal action helps expose the retaliatory tactics used against those who speak out about workplace misconduct and helps protect others in the industry.”
The allegations stem from Lively’s role in the romantic drama It Ends With Us, which is based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover. Lively portrays Lily Bloom, a character caught in an abusive relationship with Baldoni’s character, Ryle Kincaid. The film, which has sparked significant attention for its portrayal of domestic violence, was a box-office success despite criticism that it romanticized abuse.
In the legal filing, Lively’s legal team outlined several demands, including requests that Baldoni cease making inappropriate comments about her, refrain from discussing his alleged “pornography addiction” with the crew, and stop suggesting he could communicate with her deceased father. Lively also requested the removal of explicit scenes involving her character that were outside the original script she had agreed to.
Baldoni’s representatives, in a statement to the BBC, vehemently denied the accusations. Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, called the claims “categorically false” and accused Lively of threatening to undermine the film’s success. “It is shameful that Ms. Lively would make such serious accusations without any basis,” Freedman said. “Her actions have been disruptive, and her demands were unreasonable.”
The legal dispute adds to growing tension surrounding the film, particularly after another co-star, Brandon Sklenar, subtly alluded to a rift between Lively and Baldoni in an Instagram post. Speculation about a falling out between the two actors only increased when they did not appear together on the red carpet during the film’s premiere in August 2024.
Lively has remained focused on her role in the film, despite the behind-the-scenes drama. In an interview at the premiere, she discussed the emotional challenges of portraying a character trapped in an abusive relationship while emphasizing the empowering nature of the story. “Lily is a survivor and a victim, but those labels don’t define her,” Lively said. “It’s empowering to show that no one else can define you.”
As Lively’s legal battle continues, the case highlights growing concerns around workplace misconduct and the challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry. Lively’s team hopes her legal action will send a strong message about the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable and supporting those who speak out about mistreatment in the workplace.
Read more: