Lawsuits Escalate Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Over Harassment Allegations

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are embroiled in a legal dispute, with Lively alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against her, while Baldoni counters with claims of libel against The New York Times. Both lawsuits center around events during the filming of "It Ends With Us".

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are locked in a contentious legal dispute following allegations of harassment that have arisen from their collaborative film, "It Ends With Us." Lively filed a lawsuit in New York on Tuesday, accusing Baldoni and his publicity team of sexual harassment on set, as well as orchestrating a plot to damage her reputation. In contrast, Baldoni has initiated a lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming that the publication collaborated with Lively to tarnish his reputation by disregarding evidence that refutes her allegations. The Times has firmly rejected Baldoni's claims, asserting their report was thoroughly researched and responsibly executed.

In her lawsuit, Lively echoes accusations presented in a previous civil rights complaint filed in California last December, seeking compensatory damages for "lost wages" and "mental pain and anguish," although she has not disclosed a specific amount. Baldoni's countersuit against the Times includes accusations of libel and fraud, claiming that the publication utilized selectively edited communications to portray him unfavorably. He seeks $250 million in damages and a jury trial, arguing the newspaper's actions constituted a "smear campaign," exacerbating Lively's negative public image.

Lively's allegations suggest a coordinated effort by Baldoni and his team to undermine her public standing following a meeting where she outlined various demands linked to alleged harassment incidents. This incident purportedly included stipulations against inappropriate discussions on set and limitations on intimate scenes not previously authorized by her. Her legal representatives further assert that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios engaged in creating a "multi-tiered plan" aimed at discrediting her, through social media manipulation and strategic interactions with journalists. Conversely, Baldoni's attorneys have asserted that Lively's allegations are "categorically false," claiming they engaged a crisis manager in response to her threats regarding the film's production.

The controversy surrounding these allegations highlights hostilities in the Hollywood environment, exacerbated further by the swift fallout following the initial reporting. "It Ends With Us," which was released last summer and is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, portrays a complicated relationship where Lively's character finds herself involved with Baldoni's abusive character. As this situation continues to develop, both sides remain under scrutiny regarding their allegations and defenses.