Blake Lively Sues Co-Star Justin Baldoni for Alleged On-Set Harassment

Actress Blake Lively has taken steps to address what she says was a toxic work environment on the set of her 2022 film "It Ends with Us" directed by and starring alongside Justin Baldoni. The actress has filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging that he subjected her to harassment and retaliation after she expressed her concerns over the film's depiction of domestic violence.

According to the lawsuit filed by Lively's attorney, Baldoni made unwanted comments about her body and created a hostile work environment, causing her discomfort during filming. The allegations also suggest that Baldoni went against the agreed-upon marketing approach for the film, instead focusing on domestic violence, a topic that made Lively feel uneasy. The marketing campaign was intended to be more uplifting, as was requested by Lively, but sources claim that Baldoni persisted with his vision, without her consent.

Lively's lawsuit further alleges that Baldoni's team took matters further by engaging in a smear campaign aimed at damaging her reputation after she voiced her concerns about his actions. Her lawyer labels these allegations a "false attempt to rehab his reputation," suggesting that Baldoni may be attempting to deflect the true nature of the situation. The timing of the suit coincides with the release of a memoir by Baldoni, in which he recounts the making of the film and takes aim at Lively in the process.

Baldoni's legal team, however, has denied the claims, stating that Lively was difficult to work with and that the allegations of harassment are actually an attempt by her to fix her own damaged reputation. It remains to be seen how these claims will be addressed in the court of law. The 'It Ends with Us' film continues to be available for streaming, despite the ongoing dispute between the director-star duo.

This ongoing case highlights the growing emphasis on workplace accountability and the agency of women in the entertainment industry. As the controversy continues to unfold, the focus remains on Blake Lively's allegations against Justin Baldoni, with neither party backing down.