Hollywood actress Blake Lively has accused her co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of It Ends With Us, a movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover's famous book. Lively filed an 80-page complaint detailing her allegations against Baldoni, his company Wayfarer Studios, and its CEO, Jamie Heath. Here’s a breakdown of the controversy.
Allegations Against Justin Baldoni
1. Unnecessary Intimate Scenes Added
Blake Lively alleged that Baldoni deliberately included kissing and intimate scenes in the film without her consent.
She claimed there was no intimacy coordinator on set to ensure boundaries were respected.
2. Inappropriate Behavior on Set
Baldoni allegedly kissed Lively on the lips for an extended time even after the cameras had stopped rolling.
He reportedly made offensive sexual remarks to Lively and others on set.
3. Sharing Private Photos
Lively accused Baldoni of showing her private photos to his wife and other women without her consent.
4. Exploitation of Personal Grief
Baldoni claimed he could communicate with Lively's deceased father, which she found manipulative and insensitive.
5. Set Environment and Studio Response
Lively complained about repeated boundary violations by male crew members.
In response, the studio eventually hired an intimacy coordinator, but only after significant issues arose.
What is Astroturfing?
Lively’s complaint also included accusations of "astroturfing," a practice where fake news or manipulated information is spread online to damage someone's reputation. She claimed Baldoni and his team engaged in such tactics to malign her image publicly.
Related: Justin Dropped WME Blake Lively Harassment Lawsuit
Consequences for Justin Baldoni
Talent Agency Severed Ties: Following these allegations, Baldoni was dropped by his talent agency.
Loss of Recognition: A significant award Baldoni was supposed to receive was revoked.
Ongoing Legal Troubles: Baldoni now faces multiple lawsuits, including one for breach of contract.
Related: Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni Harassment Claims