Blake Lively expands lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, adding new harassment allegations

Blake Lively has amended her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her ‘It Ends With Us’ co-star, to include new evidence of sexual harassment and workplace retaliation.

The updated filings, submitted to a New York Federal Court, feature testimonies from other female cast members who allegedly felt uncomfortable due to Baldoni’s alleged misconduct on set.

The lawsuit states that one female co-star raised concerns about Baldoni with Sony, the film’s distributor, according to a CNN report.

Blake Lively alleges retaliation by Justin Baldoni

The report adds that Lively first expressed her concerns in May 2023, after which another actress also reported feeling uneasy about Baldoni’s behaviour to a Sony representative and a producer.

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It is alleged that the Sony official conveyed these concerns to Baldoni, who acknowledged them and assured he would adjust his behaviour. However, Lively claims that instead of doing so, Baldoni retaliated by hiring a crisis management firm to orchestrate a smear campaign against her.

Blake Lively sues Justin Baldoni's lawyer for defamation

Lively’s expanded lawsuit, as per CNN, now includes a defamation claim against Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman. She alleges that Freedman publicly made damaging statements to undermine her allegations. The lawsuit adds that Freedman issued inflammatory content to the media in an attempt to intimidate Lively and deter others from testifying in her favour.

Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: Background

Lively originally filed her lawsuit in December 2022, accusing Baldoni of inappropriate behaviour and subsequent retaliation for speaking out.

Baldoni, who also directed ‘It Ends With Us,’ has denied these claims and filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for $400 million.

In his lawsuit, Baldoni alleges that the couple sought to tarnish his reputation and exert undue influence over the film’s creative direction. He has also taken legal action against The New York Times, suing the publication for $250 million, claiming it colluded with Lively to misrepresent the events.

Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: Legal ramifications

The ongoing legal battle is having significant repercussions. Talent agency WME, which represents Lively and Reynolds, has severed ties with Baldoni. Additionally, both the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA and Sony have publicly expressed support for Lively, according to the CNN report.

Both parties have reportedly refused to settle, and the case is set to go to trial in March 2026. The court has also warned against public disputes, with the judge cautioning that continued media battles could lead to an expedited trial.

FAQs

1. What new claims has Blake Lively added to her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni?
Blake Lively's amended lawsuit claims that multiple women on the set of ‘It Ends With Us’ were distressed by Baldoni’s behaviour. She also alleges that after she and a former female co-star raised their concerns, Baldoni retaliated by launching a smear campaign against her.


2. How has Justin Baldoni responded to the allegations?
Baldoni has denied all accusations and has filed a countersuit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds, alleging they attempted to damage his reputation while seeking greater control over the film’s creative direction. He is also suing The New York Times for allegedly publishing a biased report about the allegations.