Blake Lively, renowned for her role in Gossip Girl, has taken legal action against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director of It Ends With Us. The lawsuit, filed on Friday with the California Civil Rights Department, accuses Baldoni of sexual assault and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
The unfolding legal dispute has revealed multiple layers of controversy between the two. Recently, questions Baldoni allegedly posed regarding Lively’s personal life with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, surfaced, adding fuel to the public and legal drama.
Lively’s lawsuit also includes a detailed account of demands she made on the set of It Ends With Us. According to the legal documents, these demands arose following a meeting aimed at addressing what Lively described as a “hostile work environment.” The meeting was held after production resumed following delays caused by the 2023 writers’ strike.
As reported by Daily Mail, Lively raised significant concerns about the conduct of Baldoni and Jamey Heath, the Chief Executive Officer of Wayfarer Studios and a producer of the film. The demands were agreed upon and included several issues of a sexual nature, as well as broader workplace conditions.
One specific demand involved prohibiting the display of nude videos or images, including those of Heath’s wife, to Lively or her staff. Additionally, discussions about Baldoni and Heath’s past struggles with pornography addiction and Lively’s personal beliefs about pornography were banned from the set.
An intimacy coordinator was mandated to be present during any scenes involving sexual content, and “improvised” kissing scenes were explicitly prohibited. Other demands included respect for Lively’s religious beliefs, her late father’s memory, adherence to COVID protocols, and an end to comments about her weight.
Support for Lively has poured in from her former co-stars, including America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, who have publicly stood by the 37-year-old actress during this challenging time.
As the case continues, it has not only raised significant concerns about workplace conduct in Hollywood but also highlighted the measures actors are taking to ensure their safety and dignity on set.