Blake Lively SuesIt Ends with UsCostar Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment, Claims He Caused Her Severe Emotional Distress

Mar. 15, 2025

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni.Photo:Gotham/WireImage (2)

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni attend the “It Ends With Us” New York Premiere.

Gotham/WireImage (2)

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in ‘It Ends with Us.'.Sony Pictures Entertainment

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us

Sony Pictures Entertainment

The complaint states that Sony Pictures, who distributed the film, and Wayfarer Studios, of which Baldoni is co-chairman and co-founder, approved of Lively’s requests. However, Lively claims in the filing that Baldoni then took part in a “social manipulation” campaign to “destroy” her reputation soon after.

In a statement given to theTimes, Lively said, “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.”

Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, tells PEOPLE in a statement that Lively’s complaint was to “fix her negative reputation.” He also said that her allegations are “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt.”

Freedman also alleged that Lively caused problems on set of the film, which is currently streaming, “threatening to not showing up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release.”

Representatives for Lively, Baldoni and Sony did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

According to Lively’s complaint, “the emotional impact on Ms. Lively has been extreme, not only affecting her, but her family, including her husband and four children.”

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni.Getty(2)

Justin Baldoni Blake Lively

Getty(2)

Reports of Baldoni’s alleged behavior surfaced earlier this year, whenThe Daily Mailpublished a report alleging Baldoni was “chauvinistic” and “borderline abusive” on the set ofIt Ends with Us.The same day, Page Six reported Baldoni created an “extremely difficult” atmosphere behind the scenes for the entire cast.

Rumors of a rift between Lively and Baldoni then sparked as the cast embarked on the official press tour for the movie. Baldoni did most of his press solo and did not pose for pictures alongside the cast atthe film’s New York premiere.

Fans were also quick to spot that Lively, Hoover and Jenny Slate do not follow Baldoni back on Instagram.

Costar Brandon Sklenar defended the women behind the film in an Aug. 20 Instagram post, writing, “Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.”

source: people.com