The feud between actress Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni, which began on the set of It Ends With Us, has escalated into a high-profile legal dispute. What initially started as disagreements on set has now spiraled into multiple lawsuits and public accusations.
On Dec. 20, Lively filed a formal complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights, as reported by The New York Times, outlining allegations of misconduct that she claims took place during the production of It Ends With Us.
In the complaint, Lively accused Baldoni of “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior” on set. In response, Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, seeking $400 million.
Austin Crider, a Junior at Eaton High School said, “It’s pretty understandable. She’s trying to ruin a career, when you’re just trying to be nice.”
Baldoni also filed a separate $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for alleged libel.
Baldoni actively denies the accusations, asserting that Lively’s actions are part of an effort to “destroy reputations and livelihoods for selfish reasons.” He also claims the media campaign against him began before any legal action was formally taken.
In recent years, Baldoni has positioned himself as a vocal ally to women. In a widely circulated TED Talk, he declared, “I believe that as men, it’s time we start to see past our privilege and recognize that we are not just part of the problem. Fellas, we are the problem.” As a husband and father of two daughters, Baldoni has written extensively about his journey as a feminist dad and how it has reshaped his perspective on life.
Now, Baldoni finds himself at the center of a public lawsuit.
Lively is a wife and mother of four. She actively raises awareness for Child Rescue Coalition on the global crisis of child sexual abuse and exploitation. She has raised awareness and new support groups from the lawsuits.
Lively stated that on set, her and other cast and crew members experienced unprofessional and invasive contact.
Lively claimed that in a “slow dance scene,” Baldoni changed the script to make the scene seem more intimate. In the scene she also allegedly said he told her, “she smelt good.”
In a statement to the press, Lively expressed, “I hope that my legal actions help pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics used to harm those who speak up about misconduct and serve as a warning to those who may be targeted in the future.”
As an official court date was set for Mar. 9, 2026, the legal battles between Lively and Baldoni continue to unfold with both parties determined to clear their names and protect their reputations.
Lori • Jan 31, 2025 at 9:13 am
The truth is 100% on Justin’s side. If people actually read his lawsuits, it’s very, very clear that Blake was a threatening bully throughout this production.