Actress Blake Lively files lawsuit “It ends with us.” Co-star Justin Baldoni is accused of sexual harassment.
For months, rumors swirled that a feud had begun between the two actors, culminating in a lawsuit in which Lively claims Baldoni, who is also the film’s director, caused her “severe emotional distress.” It seems so.
The complaint, obtained by CBS News, names Baldoni, the “It Ends With Us” studio and Baldoni’s publicist among the defendants. The New York Times first reported the complaint, filed Friday with the California Department of Civil Rights.
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The complaint details allegations against the 37-year-old actress’ co-stars, including that she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, were accused of “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing conduct” by Baldoni and the film’s producers. It also includes what happened after the meeting was discussed. , he and the studio embarked on a “multilayered plan” to tarnish her reputation after the meeting. ”
In a statement to the New York Times, Ms. Lively said her legal action “helps end a vicious act of retaliation that harms those who speak out about wrongdoing and harms others who may be targeted.” “We hope that this will help protect the country,” he said. Lively’s representatives referred CBS News to the Times report, in which Lively denied planting or spreading any negative information about Baldoni or the studio.
According to the New York Times, the lawsuit alleges that Baldoni’s publicist wrote to the studio’s publicist that Baldoni “wanted to feel like she could be buried” and “I can’t write something that would destroy her.” It also contained text.
The complaint also says Baldoni “abruptly pivoted” from his film’s marketing plans and “used domestic violence ‘survivor content’ to protect his public image.”
“These allegations are completely false, outrageous, and intentionally despicable aimed at publicly tarnishing and rehashing the media narrative,” attorney Brian Friedman told The Associated Press. said in a statement. Friedman represents Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its principals.
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Friedman disputed Lively’s claims of an organized campaign, saying the studio “actively” hired a crisis manager “due to Mr. Lively’s repeated demands and threats during production.” He said Lively threatened not to appear on set or promote the film “if her demands were not met.” These demands were not specified in the statement.
The film, released in August, is based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel of the same name. The book spent 164 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and avid fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of the movie.
However, in the days and weeks leading up to the film’s release, rumors swirled about an alleged on-set feud between Lively and Baldoni. During the film’s promotion, Baldoni did most of the press alone and did not pose with the cast at the film’s New York premiere.
Lively played the film’s main character, Lily, and Baldoni played a seemingly nice brain surgeon who turns violent.
In an interview with CBS MorningBaldoni said while promoting the film that he hopes the film will help create a safer world through compassion and empathy. He said he wants men to go see romantic movies and take responsibility for their own lives after watching them.
“I want men to go into the theater and see themselves in a way. There are two very different characters. ‘Atlas’ and ‘Lyle’ both have trauma in their pasts. ” he said. “Some people respond very differently than others. And my other hope is that people who aren’t in the healing work, people who aren’t in the healing work, if Lyle’s When you find pieces of yourself inside, you have the opportunity to step back and say, “You know, I don’t want to ruin my life, I don’t want to hurt the people I love the most. .”
