January 1st 2025.
Actor Blake Lively has taken legal action against director Justin Baldoni and others connected to their romantic drama, It Ends With Us. In her lawsuit, filed in New York, Lively claims she was harassed and targeted in a coordinated effort to damage her reputation after she spoke out about mistreatment on the set.
This development comes just hours after Baldoni and the other defendants in Lively's lawsuit filed a libel suit against The New York Times for their reporting on her allegations. Both lawsuits are significant in the ongoing discussion about the treatment of female actors in Hollywood and the media.
Lively's suit details a plan by Baldoni, production company Wayfarer Studios, and others to silence her and others who spoke out about their experiences. This included planting theories on online message boards, orchestrating a social media campaign, and placing negative news stories about Lively.
The mistreatment on set allegedly included inappropriate comments from Baldoni about Lively's and other women's bodies, as well as discussions about his own personal sexual experiences and porn addiction. Lively's husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, was also present at a meeting where they addressed these issues with Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath.
Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, denies these allegations and previously called them "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious." However, Lively's lawsuit coincides with a separate libel suit filed by Baldoni and others against The New York Times seeking $250 million in damages.
The Times has stood by their reporting, stating that it was thoroughly researched and based on evidence such as text messages and emails. The libel suit claims that the newspaper disregarded contradictory evidence and relied solely on Lively's narrative.
Lively's lawyers maintain that the libel suit does not change the validity of her claims and that she will continue to pursue justice through her federal and civil rights department complaints.
It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover's novel, was released in August and surpassed box office expectations. However, the film's promotion was overshadowed by rumors of tension between Lively and Baldoni. Lively, known for her roles in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Gossip Girl, has since starred in other successful films such as The Town and The Shallows.
Baldoni, known for his work on Jane the Virgin and Five Feet Apart, has also written a book challenging traditional ideas of masculinity. He has faced criticism for potentially romanticizing domestic violence in It Ends With Us, but maintains that everyone is entitled to their opinion.
The fallout from Lively's allegations has also affected Baldoni's career, as he was dropped by his agency, WME, following the publication of the Times' story. Lively and Reynolds are both represented by WME.
Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, has accused The New York Times of caving to the demands of powerful Hollywood elites and aiding in a smear campaign against his client. He believes the newspaper's actions were influenced by their desire to improve Lively's public image and counteract criticism from online sources.
Support is available for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence through the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service, which can be reached at 1800RESPECT. Stay updated on breaking news, sports, politics, and weather by downloading the 9News app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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