The legal dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has taken a dramatic turn, with both sides making serious allegations. Lively has accused Baldoni of causing “severe emotional distress” through actions like showing explicit videos of women to her and discussing his past sexual behavior. However, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, strongly denies the claims, asserting that they are false and part of a larger smear campaign orchestrated by Lively’s team. He further accused Lively of bullying her way through the industry and vowed to present evidence to back up his defense.
The tension between the two stars became apparent during the promotion of their film It Ends With Us, which grossed $242 million globally but has now been overshadowed by the allegations. They notably avoided joint interviews and red carpet photos, fueling speculation about their strained relationship.
Lively’s legal team has countered by stating that her claims of sexual harassment and retaliation are supported by “concrete facts.” They also accused Baldoni and his associates of retaliatory actions. Among Lively’s accusations, she claims Baldoni and a producer entered her trailer uninvited while she was undressed and pressured her to simulate nudity during a scene without prior rehearsal or an intimacy coordinator.
The ongoing legal battle has led to a lawsuit filed by Baldoni against The New York Times, claiming that the actress had orchestrated a smear campaign. With both parties preparing for litigation, it seems unlikely that they will work together again, and the possibility of an It Ends With Us sequel appears remote.
