Trigger warning: This article contains mention of sexual assault.
What fans thought was minor online drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken a serious turn, as Blake Lively has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against her co-star. Online netizens had labeled the feud between the two as ‘It Ends With Us Drama’, but as Lively is suing Baldoni, the filing reportedly revealed new details about the tense situation behind the scenes on the set Are.
According to the document, Age of Adaline star Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer CEO Jamie Heath, among others, held an “all hands” meeting, and Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds was also in attendance. Reportedly this was to address the “hostile work environment that almost derailed the film’s production.”
Some of the actress’s demands were, “No more showing Blake nude videos or pictures of women, no mention of Baldoni’s alleged past ‘obscenity addiction’, no discussion of sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further No mention of the cast and crew’s genitalia, no further inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mention of Blake’s dead father.” The Gossip Girl star also asked an intimacy coordinator to be “present at all times” when Lively and Baldoni have scenes together.
The complaint claimed that Wayfarer and the Jane The Virgin actor were waging a smear campaign against Blake, calling it “social manipulation” in hopes of “destroying” his reputation. Brian Friedman, who is Baldoni’s legal representative, denied all allegations. He claimed that the lawsuit was a way for the Gossip Girl star to “fix her negative reputation.”
In a statement to The New York Times, Blake Lively explained why she took this step. “I hope that my legal action will help expose these appalling retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak out about misconduct,” he said. He concluded that this was expected to help them “protect those who may be targeted.”
Baldoni has not yet commented on the situation.
