Justin Baldoni’s legal team have spoken out following reports that the actor intends to lodge a countersuit against Blake Lively.
The It Ends With Us actor, 40, has been rumoured to have been preparing his own complaint against his co-star after she accused him of sexual harassment and attempting to ‘destroy’ her reputation.
Lively alleges that Baldoni orchestrated a ‘social manipulation’ campaign to vilify her after the pair finished shooting the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel.
The Gossip Girl actress, 37, claims that the filmmaker – who directed and starred in the 2024 movie – had caused her ‘severe emotional distress’ behind-the-scenes.
Her complaint also alleges that he added ‘improvised gratuitous sexual content and/or scenes involving nudity’ into the film while displaying a ‘shocking lack of boundaries’.
Baldoni has also been accused of sharing criticisms of Lively’s ‘body and weight’, making comments about her deceased father Ernie and launching a deliberate smear campaign against her with his PR team.
The ‘feud’ between the pair was borne out of alleged poor behaviour from Baldoni on set, according to Lively’s legal complaint.
“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,” the mother-of-four told the BBC in a statement via her attorneys.
Baldoni’s lawyers have vehemently denied the claims, calling them ‘categorically false’, adding: “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.”
The Los Angeles-based litigator has now addressed claims that the Jane the Virgin actor is set to file a countersuit against Lively on (Thursday) 2 January.
The It Ends With Us co-stars seen during filming (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Baldoni, his business partner Jamey Heath and the publicists named in Lively’s complaint were reported to be preparing to submit their own lawsuit when the courts reopen after the New Year.
According to the Daily Mail, it will suggest that Lively has been motivated to take legal action in a bid to overhaul her public image.
The countersuit will also reportedly claim that text messages have been presented out of context and that Lively’s team planted stories to smear his reputation.
Despite not outright confirming the countersuit, Freedman warned that the contents of it would ‘shock everyone’.
“I am not going to speak to when or how many lawsuits we are filing but when we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative,” he told Deadline.
“It will be supported by real evidence and tell the true story. In over 30 years of practicing, I have never seen this level of unethical behaviour intentionally fuelled through media manipulation.
“It reminds me of what NBC tried to do to Megyn Kelly and Gabrielle
Freedman also told People that the countersuit will ‘uncover and expose the false and destructive narrative’ as well as ‘dismantle the illusions propped up by those who believe themselves untouchable’.
Baldoni’s lawyer said the contents of the countersuit would shock everyone’ (John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)
“This is not a response or countersuit – it’s a deliberate pursuit of truth,” he added.
After Lively’s claims came to light, Baldoni was dropped by his agent, his The Man Enough podcast co-host Liz Plank quit and he was stripped of a women’s solidarity award from Vital Voices that he was honoured with on 9 December.
Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloane – who runs Vision PR – has denied allegations that the actress’ team planted stories about him.
She also told Deadline: “I was contacted on 8/11 by Sara Nathan (Melissa Nathan’s sister) forwarding an anonymous tip that Page Six received, regarding allegations of HR complaints on the set of It Ends with Us.
“After that, I was contacted by various press outlets asking about allegations of HR complaints.
“When contacted, I responded to press questions by referring them to Wayfarer or Sony for information regarding HR complaints.
“It’s clear that Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are suggesting that I originated press stories about HR complaints on set, which is false.
“Please read Ms. Lively’s Complaint and the Complaint filed by Jonesworks LLC and Stephanie Jones, which provides the details of the campaign against my client.”
Featured Image Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Film, Blake Lively,
A group of Blake Lively’s old co-stars have issued a statement following her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni.
The 37-year-old starred alongside him in the summer hit film It Ends With Us which he also directed.
But the new lawsuit, obtained by The New York Times, accuses him of sexual harassment and alleges he attempted a ‘social manipulation’ campaign.
With Baldoni’s lawyer slamming it as ‘categorically false
It claims a meeting was held during production to address her claims and demands for working on the film, reportedly with her husband Ryan Reynolds, in attendance.
According to the lawsuit, Lively’s demands included ‘no more showing nude videos or images of women’ to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni’s alleged previous ‘pornography addiction’, no more discussions about ‘personal experiences with sex’ in front of Blake and others, no more ‘descriptions of… genitalia’, no more inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mention of Blake’s dead father.
Baldoni and Lively in It Ends With Us (Sony Pictures)
Now, famous faces have spoken out in support of Lively, including some of her oldest friends.
America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel starred alongside her in the 2005 cult film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
They took to Instagram yesterday (22 December) to issue a join statement, saying they are ‘inspired’ by Lively and that the ‘hypocrisy is astounding’.
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the statement reads.
“Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.
“Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.
Lively and her 2005 co-stars. (L. Cohen/WireImage)
“We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment. We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others.
“For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the full legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike Mcintire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times.”
Lively told The New York Times in a statement: “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.”
LADbible contacted Sony Pictures and Baldoni and Lively’s reps for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Toth/Getty Images/Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Topics: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Celebrity, TV and Fil
Justin Baldoni’s lawyer has accused Blake Lively of having ‘false stories planted with the media’.
This comes after the Green Lantern actor filed a lawsuit against the actor and director.
The pair starred alongside each other in the summer release, It Ends With Us. And building up to the film landing in cinemas, rumours circulated of an on-set rift between them.
That now seems to have been somewhat validated as Lively has sued Baldoni for sexual harassment and alleging he attempted a ‘social manipulation’ campaign against her.
Obtained by the New York Times, the legal complaint alleges his behaviour caused ‘severe emotional distress’ for both Lively and her family.
Allegations in the suit include the star demanding Baldoni didn’t add any more ‘sex scenes, oral sex or on camera climaxing’ to the film outside of what was in the script she had initially approved.
A meeting reportedly held was also attended by her husband Ryan Reynolds, as various claims and demands from Lively were addressed. These allegedly included: “No more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake,” and “No more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others.”
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, told Variety the suit is full of ‘categorically false accusations’ as it also claims the star mounted a smear campaign to ‘destroy’ Lively’s reputation.
The legal rep slammed the ‘shameful’ complaint and accused her of making a ‘desperate attempt to fix her negative reputation’.
His statement said: “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.
Justin Baldoni starred in and directed It Ends With Us (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
“These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media. Wayfarer Studios made the decision to proactively hire a crisis manager prior to the marketing campaign of the film, to work alongside their own representative with Jonesworks employed by Stephanie Jones, due to the multiple demands and threats made by Ms. Lively during production which included her threatening to not showing up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release, if her demands were not met.
“It was also discovered that Ms. Lively enlisted her own representative, Leslie Sloan with Vision PR, who also represents Mr. Reynolds, to plant negative and completely fabricated and false stories with media, even prior to any marketing had commenced for the film, which was another reason why Wayfarer Studios made the decision to hire a crisis professional to commence internal scenario planning in the case they needed to address.”
Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against him (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
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The statement concluded: “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. What is pointedly missing from the cherry-picked correspondence is the evidence that there were no proactive measures taken with media or otherwise; just internal scenario planning and private correspondence to strategize which is standard operating procedure with public relations professionals.”
Lively told The New York Times in a statement: “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.”
The star also denied that she or any of her representatives planted or spread negative information about Baldoni or Wayfarer.
LADbible has contacted Sony Pictures, Baldoni and Lively’s reps for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Sony Pictures/Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Topics: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, TV and Film, Celebrity
The journalist who shared an interview where Blake Lively was ‘rude’ to her has spoken out amid the recent lawsuit.
The It Ends With Us actor has sued her co-star, Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment and alleged he tried to launch a ‘social manipulation’ campaign.
When the Colleen Hoover novel-based film landed in cinemas over the summer, rumours were rife of an off-set rift between the two stars.
And with speculation building over what had happened between the pair, all sorts of old drama also seemed to be dragged up – including a 2016 interview with Lively.
Norwegian reporter Kjersti Flaa shared a video of her chat with the Green Lantern actor and her Café Society co-star Parker Posey in 2016, captioning it: “The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job.”
She told LADbible that part of why she’d decided to post it was because: “I think it’s about time that people behaving badly in Hollywood gets called out for it. It’s not okay, even if you are rich and famous.”
Lively launched a legal complaint against Baldoni. (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
However, with the video going extremely viral over the summer, there are new ‘theories’ over just why Flaa posted it when she did.
Obtained by The New York Times (NYT), Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni of trying to ‘destroy’ her reputation (while his lawyer says her team tried to ‘plant false stories with media’). And the NYT’s report lays out how Baldoni’s team allegedly carried out a ‘smear campaign’, noting a link to Flaa.
The actor had hired crisis management expert, Melissa Nathan, who allegedly said she had spoken to an editor when his team wrote to her: “I’m having reckless thoughts of wanting to plant pieces this week of how horrible Blake is to work with.”
Baldoni starred in and directed the film. (Gotham/WireImage)
The NYT report says of Flaa: “It wasn’t the first time she had posted a video aligned with a client of Ms. Nathan. In 2022, in the midst of Mr. Depp’s legal battle with Ms. Heard, Ms. Flaa posted clips of her interviews with the actor, tagged #JusticeForJohnnyDepp.”
But Flaa is slamming these theories as speculation builds, taking to various social media and writing on Instagram: “Just wanted to put it out there. I have nothing to do with Justin Baldoni and his smear campaign against Blake Lively that was reported on by The New York Times today. There are conspiracy theories out there accusing me of being paid by his PR team to help with their smear campaign. None of this is true.”
She said in a clip that she has ‘nothing to do with’ the ‘dirty work’ that had been ‘going on behind the scenes’.
Flaa added: “When I read the text messages that was going back and forth between Justin Baldoni’s PR team, I was as shocked and appalled like everyone else, and I would never be take part in anything like that. That’s such an insult to me.”
During her near-10 minute video on this, she says she has ‘never met’ Baldoni and ‘actually didn’t know he existed’ before this movie.
Baldoni’s lawyer has slammed Lively’s lawsuit, telling Variety it is full of ‘categorically false accusations’.
Lively told the NYT in a statement: “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
Featured Image Credit: Kjersti Flaa/Sony
Topics: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Celebrity, TV and Film, Viral
A lip reader shared what she believed Ryan Reynolds said to Blake Lively during a tense conversation at the premiere for It Ends With Us.
Back when the romantic drama landed in cinemas over the summer, rumours were circulating of an off-set rift between Lively and co-star Justin Baldoni.
Fans had spotted ‘clues’ in cast members unfollowing Baldoni on social media as drama old and new seemed to be dragged up.
And some of those rumours now seem to be backed up as Lively has filed a lawsuit against her co-star and director for sexual harassment and alleging he tried to ‘destroy’ her reputation.
With speculation rife when It Ends With Us premiered, attention turned to a conversation between the mum-of-four and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, on a red carpet.
While photographers snapped away, the pair appeared to be quietly chatting as attention turned to just what they were talking about.
Lip reader Nicola Hicking told Nicki Swift that Reynolds was asking Lively a question.
Lively and Reynolds. (Gotham/WireImage)
Apparently, he said: “Is this the last time?”
To which Lively responded: “No, we gotta’ speak to everyone, erm, are you impressed there’s more?”
“Yeah, yeah, well it’s hardly a secret,” her husband replied.
LADbible reached out to Lively and Reynolds’ reps for comment at the time.
While it’s not clear just what the couple were talking about, the pair had been pretty busy back then with It Ends With Us releasing within weeks of Deadpool & Wolverine.
And not only did Lively star in her film, but she also ended up being a producer with Reynolds reportedly chipping in with the script.
Baldoni and Lively filming for It Ends With Us. (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
From the lawsuit obtained by The New York Times, it is now reported that Reynolds may have been more present than previously known in the production.
