Blake Lively has issued a statement following the release of behind-the-scenes footage by Justin Baldoni’s team in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the film It Ends with Us. The dispute between the co-stars has escalated since December 2024, when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and manipulating her during filming. In response, Baldoni filed a countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, seeking £320 million in damages.
The footage released by Baldoni’s team showed a scene in which their characters, Lily and Ryle, slow dance together during a romantic montage. The director’s legal team claims that the video disproves Lively’s allegations, particularly the assertion that Baldoni behaved inappropriately during a slow-motion dance scene. The video, which was shared with Entertainment Weekly, was accompanied by a statement asserting that both actors were acting within the boundaries of the scene with mutual respect and professionalism.
Lively’s team quickly responded with their own statement, defending her claims. They maintained that the footage released by Baldoni actually supports her accusations, specifically describing his behavior as inappropriate. According to Lively’s representatives, the video shows Baldoni repeatedly leaning toward her, attempting to kiss her, and engaging in other unwelcome physical gestures, such as rubbing his face against her neck and flicking her lip with his thumb. They also highlighted Lively’s visible discomfort as she leaned away and requested that they “just talk” instead of continuing the intimate interactions.
Lively’s team further stated that any woman who has experienced unwanted physical contact in the workplace would recognize her attempts to deflect the inappropriate behavior. They emphasized that no woman should be forced to take defensive actions to avoid being touched by a colleague or employer without consent.
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni also includes a series of counterclaims. Baldoni’s lawsuit accuses Lively and Reynolds of hijacking the creative direction of the film, taking control of its marketing and promotion without permission, and defaming him publicly. He alleges that Lively’s actions overshadowed the film’s intended message, which was meant to honor survivors of domestic violence, and that her claims of harassment were a calculated attempt to ruin his career. Baldoni also criticized Lively for allegedly not addressing the film’s sensitive subject matter of domestic violence during promotions, which he believes hurt the movie’s impact.
In addition to the legal claims, the lawsuits highlight a breakdown in the professional relationship between Lively and Baldoni, with accusations of script and wardrobe control, body-shaming, and inappropriate personal comments made by Baldoni. Lively has also accused Baldoni of making inappropriate remarks about her body and weight shortly after she gave birth to her fourth child.
As the legal proceedings unfold, both Lively and Baldoni continue to stand by their respective claims, with each party presenting evidence to support their case. The controversy has drawn significant media attention, particularly given the high-profile nature of the actors involved and the serious allegations of misconduct on set.
Lively’s legal team has vowed to continue fighting the claims, while Baldoni’s camp asserts that the evidence will ultimately clear his name. The ongoing lawsuits highlight the tensions between the two stars, with both seeking to protect their reputations and careers.
