Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against actor Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in the film It Ends With Us, alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign aimed at damaging her reputation. The lawsuit was filed on December 21, 2024, following months of reported tension between the two during the film's promotional activities, which included noticeable avoidance of each other at public events.
Allegations and Context
Lively's lawsuit claims that Baldoni engaged in persistent sexual harassment during the filming, which took place from April 2023 to early 2024. Specifically, she alleges that Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath created a hostile work environment by making inappropriate comments and violating her physical boundaries. The legal complaint details several demands made by Lively to ensure a safe working environment, including:
- No more showing of nude videos or images of women to Lively.
- No discussions regarding Baldoni's pornography addiction.
- No comments about sexual experiences or inquiries about Lively's weight.
- No additional sex scenes outside the scope of the approved script.
In her filing, Lively also asserts that Baldoni orchestrated a campaign to undermine her public image after the film's release, which caused her significant emotional distress.
Agreement in January 2024
In January 2024, an agreement was reportedly reached among the involved parties. This agreement mandated that Baldoni and Heath would cease behaviors that contributed to the toxic environment on set. However, despite this agreement, Lively claims that Baldoni continued to engage in actions that were detrimental to her reputation and well-being.
Reaction of Steve Sarowitz
Steve Sarowitz, co-founder of Wayfarer Studios and a follower of the Baha'i faith, has publicly defended Justin Baldoni in light of Blake Lively's lawsuit against him. In a statement, Sarowitz expressed his strong support for Baldoni, emphasizing that he believes the accusations are unfounded and that Baldoni is a person of integrity who has always acted with respect towards others.
Sarowitz's defense aligns with Baldoni's legal team's stance, which has characterized Lively's claims as “entirely false” and an attempt to damage Baldoni's reputation. Sarowitz stated that he has witnessed Baldoni's commitment to creating a positive work environment and his advocacy for women's rights, underscoring that Baldoni's actions do not reflect the behavior alleged by Lively.
Justin Baldoni (a person of integrity) and porn addiction
Justin Baldoni has admitted to having a porn addiction. In a podcast interview from July 2021, he discussed his early exposure to pornography and described how it developed into an unhealthy relationship. Baldoni shared that he was introduced to porn at the age of 10 and later used it as a coping mechanism for feelings of loneliness and pain, stating, "I trained my brain to deal with pain with the dopamine hit". He acknowledged that this behavior was problematic, especially when he found himself returning to porn during difficult emotional times.
Allegations and Context
Lively's lawsuit claims that Baldoni engaged in persistent sexual harassment during the filming, which took place from April 2023 to early 2024. Specifically, she alleges that Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath created a hostile work environment by making inappropriate comments and violating her physical boundaries. The legal complaint details several demands made by Lively to ensure a safe working environment, including:
- No more showing of nude videos or images of women to Lively.
- No discussions regarding Baldoni's pornography addiction.
- No comments about sexual experiences or inquiries about Lively's weight.
- No additional sex scenes outside the scope of the approved script.
In her filing, Lively also asserts that Baldoni orchestrated a campaign to undermine her public image after the film's release, which caused her significant emotional distress.
Agreement in January 2024
In January 2024, an agreement was reportedly reached among the involved parties. This agreement mandated that Baldoni and Heath would cease behaviors that contributed to the toxic environment on set. However, despite this agreement, Lively claims that Baldoni continued to engage in actions that were detrimental to her reputation and well-being.
Reaction of Steve Sarowitz
Steve Sarowitz, co-founder of Wayfarer Studios and a follower of the Baha'i faith, has publicly defended Justin Baldoni in light of Blake Lively's lawsuit against him. In a statement, Sarowitz expressed his strong support for Baldoni, emphasizing that he believes the accusations are unfounded and that Baldoni is a person of integrity who has always acted with respect towards others.
Sarowitz's defense aligns with Baldoni's legal team's stance, which has characterized Lively's claims as “entirely false” and an attempt to damage Baldoni's reputation. Sarowitz stated that he has witnessed Baldoni's commitment to creating a positive work environment and his advocacy for women's rights, underscoring that Baldoni's actions do not reflect the behavior alleged by Lively.
Justin Baldoni (a person of integrity) and porn addiction
Justin Baldoni has admitted to having a porn addiction. In a podcast interview from July 2021, he discussed his early exposure to pornography and described how it developed into an unhealthy relationship. Baldoni shared that he was introduced to porn at the age of 10 and later used it as a coping mechanism for feelings of loneliness and pain, stating, "I trained my brain to deal with pain with the dopamine hit". He acknowledged that this behavior was problematic, especially when he found himself returning to porn during difficult emotional times.
People outside the Faith are talking about the allegations against Wayfarer Studios. The Baha’i Faith was mentioned in the New York Times article about the lawsuit (although thankfully while the article was very critical of Wayfarer Studios it was kind to the Faith). Imagine this being someone’s first introduction to the Baha’i Faith.This is beyond gossip at this point. The allegations in the legal complaint that led to the lawsuit are horrifying and extremely serious and if Wayfarer Studios is found liable for these allegations it could do serious damage to the public reputation of the Faith.Not to mention that the possibility of prominent Baha’is engaging in such rampant and egregious hypocrisy, abuse, and spiritual narcissism under a business whose name references the Seven Valleys makes me sick to my stomach. This is not private misconduct. If it is indeed found they are liable for/guilty of these things they’re accused of, it is akin to peeing on the Shrine of Baha’u’llah.
Text of full complaint here: https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/1629cc34e562e325/4410b1d9-full.pdf
More here: https://old.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1hjfg9h/blake_lively_sues_justin_baldoni_for_sexual/
