Blake Lively's Allegations Against Justin Baldoni

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Lively's allegations against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in “It Ends With Us,” have gained traction following a shocking lawsuit filed by Baldoni’s former publicist. The legal action, filed on Tuesday in New York state court by Stephanie Jones, casts a shadow over Baldoni’s character and his production company, Wayfarer.

Details of the Lawsuit

Jones, who began working with Baldoni in 2017, claims that in August 2022, coinciding with the film's release, Baldoni and Wayfarer conspired with publicists to "bury" and "destroy" Lively’s reputation amid fears of repercussions from allegations regarding toxic and misogynistic behavior on set. The suit seeks unspecified damages, implicating a former employee, Jennifer Abel, whom Jones alleges executed this damaging campaign.

Allegations of Document Theft and Media Manipulation

The lawsuit contends that Abel unlawfully downloaded over 70 sensitive documents as she prepared to leave Jonesworks to start her own publicity firm, taking Baldoni and Wayfarer with her. It further claims that Abel collaborated with crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, who has previously represented notable figures like Johnny Depp, to manipulate media narratives against Lively and Jones.

Evidence of the Smear Campaign

Included in the lawsuit are numerous text messages from Abel’s company phone, which she returned upon her termination, revealing the extent of the alleged smear campaign. In response, Abel emailed Jones claims of good intentions and a desire to maintain their professional relationship, despite the circumstances.

Lively's Complaint to Civil Rights Department

The storm intensified when Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging a systematic effort by Baldoni to ruin her reputation after she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, addressed issues of "repeated sexual harassment" during production.

Baldoni's Denial of Allegations

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, vehemently denied these claims, labeling them as "completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious" and asserted that the studio acted with precaution due to multiple demands and threats purportedly made by Lively throughout filming.

Film's Success Amid Controversy

“It Ends With Us,” based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, was released in August to overwhelming success, grossing $50 million during its opening weekend and nearing $350 million in total sales. The film's popularity now stands in stark contrast to the unfolding controversy between its lead actors.

Future Developments

As this drama develops, fans are left wondering—what's next for Blake Lively, and will there be more shocking revelations to come? Stay tuned!