The behind-the-scenes tension on the set of It Ends with Us, the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, has taken a dramatic turn. Blake Lively, who stars as Lily in the film, has filed a lawsuit against her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment. The lawsuit, obtained details claims that have left fans and Hollywood insiders stunned.
Lively, alleges in the lawsuit that Baldoni’s behavior caused her “severe emotional distress” during production. The claims include accusations that Baldoni, 40, engaged in inappropriate conduct, such as showing explicit material on set, making comments about his alleged past struggles with pornography addiction, and discussing cast and crew members’ personal lives inappropriately.
The suit also alleges that Baldoni made inquiries about Lively’s weight, mentioned her late father inappropriately, and added explicit scenes beyond what had been initially approved in the script. A meeting was reportedly held to address these concerns, with Blake’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, also in attendance.
The lawsuit outlines several demands made by Lively, which included:
- No explicit content beyond the approved script.
- No discussions about Baldoni’s personal issues or sexual history.
- No comments or inquiries regarding her physical appearance or family.
Sony Pictures, the studio distributing the film, reportedly agreed to Lively’s requests. However, the lawsuit claims Baldoni launched a “social manipulation” campaign to tarnish her reputation after these demands were addressed.
Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt.” Freedman claimed that Lively caused issues on set, including threats not to promote the film, which, he said, contributed to its lackluster performance.
Reports of discord on the It Ends with Us set surfaced earlier this year, with claims that Baldoni created a “difficult” and “borderline abusive” atmosphere. Tensions between Lively and Baldoni became evident during the film’s press tour, as Baldoni largely attended events solo. Fans also noted that Lively, Colleen Hoover, and co-star Jenny Slate do not follow Baldoni on Instagram.What’s your take on the It Ends with Us drama? Share your thoughts below!
