Everything Blake Lively claims happened in lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni
Here are all the claims Blake Lively has made against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni in her ongoing lawsuit.
Yesterday (21 December) it was confirmed that Gossip Girl actor Lively, 37, was suing her co-star Baldoni, 40, over allegations of sexual harassment and a subsequent 'social manipulation' campaign following their time working together on the adaptation of the popular Colleen Hoover novel.
The lawsuit also names the film’s lead producer, Jamey Heath, Baldoni's Wayfarer Studios, and its co-founder Steve Sarowitz. The suit also names Jed Wallace, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, who are all accused of being involved in a smear campaign against Lively.
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The lawsuit comes months after fans noticed the pair weren't seen together during the press tour for It Ends With Us, with speculation of a rift between the pair doing the rounds online.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has since claimed the suit is full of 'categorically false accusations'.
Lively has also denied that she or her representatives had spread negative information about Baldoni or Wayfayer Studios, telling The New York Times: "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Everything included in Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni
'Gratuitous sexual content' added to script after Lively signed on
According to a report from PEOPLE, the lawsuit filed alleges that Baldoni and Heath had changed the script after Lively signed on to play the role of character Lily Bloom by adding 'improvised gratuitous sexual content and/or scenes involving nudity into the film'.
These additions are said to have included a scene which required Lively to 'orgasm on-camera' and one which saw their characters 'climax simultaneously during intercourse'.
It's understood that Baldoni ultimately removed the scenes from the film after Lively 'objected'.
Improvised intimacy on set
Lively has accused Baldoni of improvising during intimate scenes on set which had not been 'rehearsed, choreographed or discussed with Ms. Lively' beforehand and without an intimacy co-ordinator present.
Wayfarer Studios would allegedly later agree to having an intimacy co-ordinator on set 'for all scenes involving nudity and/or simulated sex' and 'no more improvising of kissing' after a claimed meeting between Baldoni, producers, Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds.
Allegations of a 'lack of boundaries' shown by Baldoni and Heath
The lawsuit alleges that Baldoni and Heath had displayed a 'shocking lack of boundaries' while on set, which included graphic discussions about their sex lives, their previously respective relationships and pornography addiction.
Heath has also been accused of showing Lively and her assistant a 'fully nude' video of his wife in labour without their consent.
Lively also claimed that during filming for the scene showing Lily in childbirth was 'utterly lacking in standard industry protections'.
Comments about Lively's weight and deceased father
Lively has accused Baldoni of regularly sharing criticisms of 'her body and weight' including allegations of calling her personal trainer wanting 'her to lose weight in two weeks' just months after the actress had given birth to her fourth child.
She has also alleged that Baldoni had claimed to be able 'speak to the dead' on several occasions, which included her recently deceased father Ernie Lively.
January 2024 meeting between Lively, Reynolds, Baldoni and producers
During a break in filming due to the writers strike, it's alleged that Lively revealed her concerns before filming resumed in a meeting which took place on 4 January to address concerns of a 'hostile work environment' (per the BBC).
A list of 30 complaints were allegedly made on Lively's behalf against Heath and Baldoni. Deadpool star Reynolds was also said to have attended in support of his wife.
Accusations of a targeted smear campaign against Lively
Lively has also alleged that she was the target of a deliberate smear campaign during the film's promotion back in August in order to 'destroy' her reputation.
According to a copy of the complaints published by The New York Times, a subpoena revealed a series of texts between Baldoni's team, PR veteran Jennifer Abel and crisis management expert, Melissa Nathan.
The messages include a conversation between Nathan and Abel - which allegedly shows Abel telling Nathan that 'he wants to feel like she can be buried' - as well as a message from Baldoni allegedly asking for only clips of him talking about domestic violence to be posted.
What has Justin Baldoni said about the claims?
In response to Lively's lawsuit, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman has said in a statement to Variety: “It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, as yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film; interviews and press activities that were observed publicly, in real time and unedited, which allowed for the internet to generate their own views and opinions."
He also said the representatives of Wayfarer Studios 'still did nothing proactive nor retaliated, and only responded to incoming media inquiries to ensure balanced and factual reporting and monitored social activity'.
LADbible has previously contacted Sony Pictures, Lively and Baldoni's representatives for comment.
Topics: Blake Lively, Celebrity
Brenna Cooper