A significant controversy has erupted following Blake Lively’s filing of a civil rights complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. Filed with the California Civil Rights Department, the complaint accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of the popular adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Lively also claims retaliation after she raised concerns about Baldoni’s on-set behaviour.
Allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour
According to the filing, Lively alleges Baldoni subjected her to repeated instances of inappropriate comments about her appearance, demanded she perform nudity in scenes that did not call for it, and made unwanted physical advances, including biting her during kissing scenes. She also accuses him of walking into her trailer without permission while she was undressed. Furthermore, Lively alleges that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath engaged in discussions about their sexual experiences and even pornography addiction, creating an uncomfortable and hostile working environment.
Lively’s attorney also claims that Baldoni privately contacted her fitness trainer to suggest that she lose weight months after giving birth, allegedly under the pretext of needing her to be in better shape for a scene that never materialised. Baldoni is also accused of degrading her by discussing matters unrelated to the film, such as claiming he could communicate with her deceased father and allowing non-essential crew members to walk through set during intimate scenes.
As part of her legal filing, Lively’s team included a series of demands for changes to ensure a safer working environment, including the presence of an intimacy coordinator at all times on set and no spontaneous improvisation in scenes of physical intimacy. The filing also mentioned a meeting held in January 2023 to address the issues that had nearly derailed production.
Alleged smear campaign and crisis communications firm
In addition to the allegations of harassment, Lively claims that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios hired a crisis communications firm, led by publicist Melissa Nathan, to execute a “social manipulation campaign” to tarnish her reputation. The complaint details how the firm allegedly orchestrated online fan engagement to discredit Lively and suppress negative media coverage about Baldoni, including complaints made against him. The tactic, known as astroturfing, is designed to make opinions appear to be from the public when they are actually being manufactured.
Baldoni’s denial and public response
Baldoni has strongly denied all the allegations. His attorney, Bryan Freedman, described the claims as “categorically false” and accused Lively of trying to salvage her own reputation by planting false stories in the media. He further suggested that Lively’s actions prompted Wayfarer Studios to hire a crisis communications firm in response.
During the publicity campaign for It Ends With Us, Lively was the subject of significant online backlash, particularly for her perceived insensitivity towards the film’s subject matter of domestic abuse. Critics online accused her of being self-absorbed, especially when she promoted her own businesses, including a beverage brand, while discussing the film’s themes. Meanwhile, Baldoni, in contrast, focused much of his interviews on supporting survivors of domestic violence, which led to further speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions.
The controversy over the on-set dynamics gained traction when fans noticed that Baldoni followed his co-stars on Instagram, but neither Lively nor Jenny Slate followed him back, further fueling speculation about friction between the cast. At the film’s premiere, Baldoni did not take group photos with his co-stars, and he was not interviewed alongside them, adding to the rumours of a rift.
Support for Lively from co-stars and public figures
As the allegations have gained attention, a number of figures have expressed support for Lively. Hoover, the author of the book on which the film is based, posted a message of solidarity with Lively, calling her “honest, kind, supportive, and patient.” Other stars, including Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn, issued a joint statement saying they “stand in solidarity” with Lively, noting the troubling reality that even well-resourced women like Lively can face retaliation for speaking up about misconduct.
In a separate response, Amber Heard, who has faced her own battles with social media and public perception, criticised the destructive nature of online discourse, saying that social media often spreads lies before the truth can catch up. Lively’s complaint mentions the same crisis communications firm that was involved in the defamation case against Heard’s ex-husband, Johnny Depp, highlighting the similarities in the public relations tactics used to shape narratives.
As this legal dispute continues to unfold, Lively’s decision to file the complaint marks a significant moment in the entertainment industry’s ongoing reckoning with on-set harassment, abuse of power, and the role of social media in shaping public opinion.