Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and further plans to tarnish her reputation. In a statement to the New York Times, 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 the misconduct and help protect others who may be targeted.”
Box Office Hit : ‘It Ends With Us’ Success
What began as a viral sensation on Book-Tok, has now taken a life of its own and transformed into a global phenomenon. Coleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us, a compelling story about self-discovery, has now sold over 6 million copies to date. We follow Lily (portrayed by Blake Lively) as she struggles to navigate an abusive relationship with Ryle (played by Justin Baldoni). The film adaptation has now become a box office success, grossing over $200 million worldwide.
Despite this success, tensions had risen behind the scenes. Rumours of a feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni emerged due to lack of interaction during the press tour. Lively also faced further backlash, with people suggesting that her detachment from the serious themes explored in this film were highly insensitive and unprofessional. This sparked a viral hate campaign across all social media platforms, with many blaming her for the unsuccessful press tour.
The Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Baldoni enlisted a PR crisis management team, led by Melissa Nathan, who previously represented Johnny Depp during the high-profile Heard vs. Depp trial. Its claims suggest that the team devised strategies to shift all criticism towards Blake Lively, ultimately damaging her career. According to TMZ, the decision comes after Blake Lively’s efforts to protect her work environment, which included asking that Baldoni stop showing her nude photos and avoid mentioning his alleged past struggles with pornography.
Support for Blake Grows as Baldoni’s Troubles Deepen
Since the news broke, Lively has received widespread support, including from It Ends With Us author Coleen Hoover. Sony Pictures, the studio behind the film, released this statement saying, “We strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in civil society.”
In addition to Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni now faces legal trouble from former publicist, Steph Jones, who has accused him of allegedly breaching their contract. Additionally, he has been dropped from prestigious talent agency WME.
