Blake Lively accuses director, 'It Ends with Us' co-star of sexual harassment, smear campaign

Actress Blake Lively has accused director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and defamation after she spoke out about a “hostile workplace” that nearly derailed a film.

In the complaint filed this week, Lively says she raised concerns about inappropriate behavior by Baldoni, who founded Wayfarer Studios, the company that owns the film. He also makes allegations against Jamey Heath, Wayfarer's chief executive and the film's producer, and names other defendants.

“Ms. Lively wants to set the record straight, hold Wayfarer Parties and Associates accountable, and shine a light on this new form of retaliation so it can't be used against any others who want to stand up and speak out against sexual harassment,” said the complaint, previously obtained by the New York Times and the Associated Press. . The document, which is a prelude to the lawsuit, was reportedly filed Friday with the California Department of Human Rights.

These allegations shed light on the working conditions and ethical allegations Lively and her female colleagues endured while filming “It Ends With Us,” a film adapted from author Colleen Hoover's novel about a woman dealing with domestic violence and emotional abuse. . The film was released in August.

Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, dismissed Lively's allegations in a statement saying it was a “huge effort” by the actress to repair her “bad reputation.”

“These claims are completely false, offensive and malicious with the intent to harm the public and reframe the media's narrative,” Freedman said.

Other inappropriate behavior alleged in the complaint included producers showing nude videos and images of women, comments about Lively's weight and touching and sexual comments without consent.

In one of the film's scenes, according to the complaint, Baldoni kissed Lively and “tactfully bit and sucked” her lower lip even though his behavior had not been rehearsed or discussed with her before. He also insisted on shooting the scene multiple times and there was no close-up coordinator.

In one scene described as “chaotic,” Lively was giving birth while the actress was naked with her legs spread wide, according to the complaint. Baldoni and Heath allegedly did not close the set so that members of the group who were not essential to the production of the scene were allowed to pass as Lively was in danger.

Baldoni and Lively are said to have clashed over what to film in other parts of the film such as the addition of the scene where he would have an orgasm. Although her co-star agreed to remove the scenes after Lively objected, she then pressed Lively about Ryan Reynolds' sex life with her husband, which she refused to discuss and took as an “attack,” the complaint says.

Lively alleges that the producers violated international law, caused her pain and breached the contract.

In January, Lively participated in a meeting about allegations of sexual harassment before the cast continued filming after the Hollywood strikes, according to the complaint. Other female actors and crew also spoke about the workplace. One of the actors previously accused Baldoni of sexual harassment. The actors finished the film after agreeing to abide by a contract that spelled out immunity from this behavior.

While the actors were trying to promote the film before it was released, Baldoni allegedly planned to destroy Lively's image while trying to protect her public image after the actors and her team unfollowed her on social media and did not appear with her in public, according to the complaint.

“Mr. Baldoni and his fellow Wayfarers embark on a complex paper and digital scheme to get revenge on Ms. Lively exercising her legally protected right to speak about their misconduct on set, with the added intention of intimidating her or anyone else from going public. it really happened,” said the complaint.

The “complex” scheme allegedly involved hiring publicists, problem managers and Texas subcontractor Jed Wallace, who helped create and promote social media content that damaged Lively's reputation, according to the complaint.

It was also heavily funded. Wayfarer founder and chairman Steve Sarowitz, a billionaire, allegedly said he was willing to spend $100 million to destroy Lively's life and that of her family, according to the complaint.

Wayfarer and Baldoni also hired The Agency Group PR, which suggested they publish comments and opinions online that people may think are coming from the public but are actually coming from a company or political party. The price for the firm's PR crisis services, which can last several months, range from $75,000 to $175,000, according to the complaint.

Freedman, an attorney representing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, defended his clients' decision to hire a crisis manager ahead of the film's marketing campaign “because of the many demands and threats made by Ms. Lively during the production including threatening that she will not be seen acting, threatening not to promote the film, which ultimately led to it disappearing when it was released, if her demands were not met.

Freedman's statement did not directly address Lively's allegations.

In her complaint, Lively said that the campaign for her appeared to be effective and included charts showing the increase in negative comments on social media about her. It is alleged that it has also damaged Lively's reputation, her businesses and put pressure on the actress and her family.

In one incident, Baldoni even said that he could talk to the dead, telling Lively that he had talked to his late father.

“There are days when he struggles to get out of bed, and often chooses not to be social,” the complaint states. “While he strives to protect his personal life and business interests, behind closed doors he has suffered grief, fear, trauma and great anxiety.”

The absence of an online presence made it difficult for Lively to feel comfortable appearing at public events, the complaint said. In September, he stepped down from hosting “Saturday Night Live,” an episode that would kick off its 50th anniversary season.