Blake Lively takes legal action over on‑set harassment allegations
Blake Lively does not intend to overlook the inappropriate behaviors that Justin Baldoni allegedly committed against her on the set of "It Ends With Us." Details of the sexual harassment lawsuit have leaked to international media, involving the film's producer as well.
This year’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel "It Ends With Us" did not receive critical acclaim. However, poor reviews seem to be the least of the filmmakers' issues. It appears that they will soon face court proceedings related to a sexual harassment case in which the lead actress, Blake Lively, accused actor and director Justin Baldoni of misconduct.
The American actress consistently avoided posing with her "colleague" from the set during promotional events. As it turns out, their collaboration was strained even during the preparation phase. Lively and Baldoni disagreed on how to depict intimate scenes. Moreover, the director reportedly made unsavory comments about Blake’s figure following the birth of her fourth child. If the court supports the actress’s account, these allegations will represent just the beginning of numerous scandalous behaviors that Justin allegedly exhibited toward her.
Was Blake Lively the victim of sexual harassment?
According to the case files, Justin Baldoni allegedly barged into the 37-year-old's trailer while she was undressed on one of the filming days. The lawsuit also accuses him of showing her photos of naked women and discussing his pornography addiction in detail.
Blake Lively’s discomfort was heightened by Baldoni’s insistence on re-shooting scenes of intimate encounters between the main characters. One incident she recounted involved "discreetly biting and sucking her lower lip." Furthermore, the suit alleged that Baldoni "improvised physical intimacy" without her prior consent.
The 40-year-old allegedly asked the actress about her sex life, including inappropriate questions regarding her and her husband Ryan Reynolds. The lawsuit further highlighted that, shortly before production started, the director insisted on adding unnecessary sexual content or nude scenes involving a minor character in an inappropriate manner. This included portraying Lily Bloom’s loss of virginity, an event not included in Colleen Hoover’s original novel.
Blake Lively also accused the producer of "It Ends With Us"
The lead actress cited a toxic atmosphere on set, also attributing blame to Jamey Heath, the producer.
The lawsuit alleges that Heath coerced Lively into completely undressing for a birth scene, contrary to earlier agreements. While filming, the actress reportedly requested an intimacy coordinator, but her request was denied. Witnesses described the scene as portraying Lively unclothed, with her legs apart in stirrups, and only a small piece of fabric covering her private area.
Heath is also accused of showing the American actress and her assistant a graphic video of his wife's childbirth, which they jointly deemed to have pornographic content.
Although the filmmakers firmly refute the accusations, Blake Lively underscores her commitment to honesty, stating she would never misrepresent her experiences with colleagues on set. She also expressed hope that legal measures would uncover harmful practices and safeguard others from possible harm.
