Blake Lively has officially escalated her legal battle against her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, by filing a lawsuit in New York Federal Court. The 37-year-old actress accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her after she raised concerns about misconduct on the film’s set.
This move follows Blake’s previous 80-page complaint to the California Civil Rights Department. Unlike the prior filing, this new lawsuit demands a jury trial, marking a significant step in her efforts to address the alleged mistreatment.
The lawsuit also comes in the wake of Baldoni’s $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, claiming the outlet misrepresented events related to the allegations. However, Lively’s legal team asserts that her decision to file the federal complaint stems from what they describe as “further retaliation and attacks” she has faced since coming forward.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni and his public relations team—specifically Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel—of orchestrating a “sophisticated, multi-tiered plan to undermine her reputation” as retaliation for speaking out. The complaint alleges that Baldoni and his team violated federal and California state laws by retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and raising workplace safety concerns.
Lively’s legal team said in a statement: “Earlier today, Ms. Lively filed a federal complaint against Wayfarer Studios and others in the Southern District of New York. Ms. Lively previously sent her California Civil Rights Department Complaint in response to the retaliatory campaign Wayfarer launched against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns.
Unfortunately, Ms. Lively’s decision to speak out has resulted in further retaliation and attacks. As alleged in Ms. Lively’s federal Complaint, Wayfarer and its associates have violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns. Now, the defendants will answer for their conduct in federal court.”
The statement also indicated that Lively’s legal team might pursue additional litigation in other jurisdictions if necessary.
In a previous statement, 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 misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
This latest lawsuit reflects the ongoing challenges in Hollywood’s battle against workplace harassment and retaliation. For Lively, it’s not just about personal vindication but also a broader push for accountability and protection for others who come forward with similar concerns.
As the case unfolds, it promises to shed more light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics at play in high-stakes entertainment projects, potentially influencing future workplace standards across the industry.
