The ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, stemming from alleged sexual harassment on the set of the film “It Ends With Us,” has escalated with the release of video footage and a flurry of accusations and counter-accusations. Lively’s legal team asserts that the footage, released by Baldoni’s attorney, corroborates her claims of inappropriate behavior, depicting Baldoni repeatedly attempting to kiss her, touching her without consent, and making unwanted advances. They argue that Baldoni, who was not only Lively’s co-star but also the director and her boss, improvised these actions without prior discussion or the presence of an intimacy coordinator. Lively’s team criticizes Baldoni for releasing the video to the public rather than presenting it in court, calling it a manipulative media stunt and a continuation of harassment and retaliation. They maintain their focus on the legal process, aiming to hold Baldoni accountable in court under oath.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, counters that Lively’s team is attempting to control the narrative by objecting to the public release of the video after Lively herself initially approached the New York Times with her allegations. He argues that Baldoni has the right to defend himself publicly with facts and evidence, suggesting that Lively’s discomfort with the video’s release stems from its contradiction of her claims. The released footage depicts Lively and Baldoni slow dancing and laughing during a montage scene, with their dialogue focused on scene ideas. A statement accompanying the video asserts that it refutes Lively’s characterization of Baldoni’s behavior, depicting professional and respectful interaction within the scope of the scene. Freedman further announced the intention to create a website containing correspondence and videos that purportedly disprove Lively’s allegations.
The legal dispute began with Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment on the film set. Baldoni vehemently denies these allegations and subsequently sued the New York Times for $250 million for their reporting on Lively’s claims. Adding another layer to the conflict, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane, alleging civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy.
Lively’s legal team responded to this lawsuit by characterizing it as a classic abuser tactic, accusing Baldoni of employing the “DARVO” strategy: Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. They contend that Baldoni is using his resources to manipulate public perception and retaliate against the sexual harassment allegations, rather than addressing the core issues of the case. The team asserts that this lawsuit is an attempt to silence and intimidate Lively, a common tactic used to discredit victims of harassment and shift blame.
This complex legal battle hinges on conflicting interpretations of events and the credibility of the involved parties. Lively’s team portrays the video as evidence of Baldoni’s inappropriate behavior, emphasizing the power dynamics at play and Lively’s attempts to deflect unwanted advances. Baldoni’s team, conversely, presents the video as proof of professional conduct within the context of filming a romantic scene, accusing Lively of attempting to manipulate public opinion and damage Baldoni’s reputation.
The planned website containing further correspondence and videos promises to add another dimension to this unfolding legal drama. As both sides continue to present their cases in the court of public opinion as well as in the legal system, the truth remains contested, leaving the public to grapple with competing narratives. The eventual outcome of these lawsuits will significantly impact the careers and reputations of all involved, and could have broader implications for how accusations of sexual harassment are handled in the entertainment industry. The case highlights the challenges of navigating power dynamics on set and the difficulty of proving or disproving such allegations, especially when relying on interpretations of behavior caught on camera.
