ABC News - Blake Lively’s bombshell legal filing against Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively has filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of creating a hostile work environment and sexual harassment during the filming of 'It Ends With Us.' Lively claims Baldoni engaged in unwanted discussions about pornography, criticized her body and weight, violated her physical boundaries, and attempted to introduce unscripted sexual scenes. She also alleges that Baldoni bit or sucked on her lip during improvised kissing scenes. Baldoni has denied these accusations, calling them false and salacious. The situation escalated when Lively faced a smear campaign allegedly organized by the studio's crisis management team. This controversy has led to Baldoni being dropped by his agency, while Lively's co-stars from 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' have expressed their support for her.
Key Points:
- Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
- Lively claims Baldoni engaged in inappropriate discussions and violated her physical boundaries.
- Baldoni denies the allegations, describing them as false and salacious.
- The controversy has led to Baldoni being dropped by his agency.
- Lively's co-stars have publicly supported her amidst the allegations.
Details:
1. 🎬 Blake Lively's Explosive Allegations
- Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint alleging a hostile work environment on the set of her film 'It Ends With Us'.
- She claims to have faced sexual harassment from her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni.
- Lively also alleges that there was a retaliation against her in the form of a smear campaign organized by publicists and a crisis management team.
- The allegations include specific incidents where Lively felt unsafe and unsupported, highlighting a broader issue of workplace harassment in the film industry.
- The complaint details how the alleged smear campaign affected her professional reputation and personal well-being.
- This case underscores the importance of addressing harassment and ensuring safe working conditions in Hollywood.
2. ⚖️ Legal Battle and Public Denials
- A complaint was filed with the California Civil Rights Department against Baldoni, co-founder of Waf Studios, by a management team hired by the studio.
- The complaint includes accusations of unwanted discussions about pornography, body and weight criticism, and violation of physical boundaries.
- Allegations also include attempts to introduce new sexual scenes not agreed upon and improvising kissing scenes with inappropriate behavior.
- Baldoni denies all accusations, with his attorney stating the claims are false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.
- The legal battle highlights significant issues within the entertainment industry regarding workplace conduct and boundaries.
- Baldoni's public denial emphasizes the contentious nature of the allegations and the potential impact on his professional reputation.
3. 🎥 Film Release and Media Speculation
3.1. Film Release Details
3.2. Actors' Experiences
4. 🌐 Industry Reactions and Support
- The studio's crisis management PR team allegedly created and amplified negative headlines against Lively, highlighting the aggressive tactics used to manage the situation.
- The studio hired a crisis manager due to multiple demands and threats made by Lively during production, including threats of not showing up to set and not promoting the film, indicating the severity of the conflict.
- The situation led to swift repercussions in Hollywood, with Baldoni being dropped by his agency, showcasing the immediate impact on industry relationships.
- Lively's co-stars from 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' publicly expressed their support for her, demonstrating solidarity and the potential for public influence on industry narratives.