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Blake Lively believes Justin Baldoni just dug his own grave.
As most celebrity gossip followers know at this point, Blake Lively recently accused the actor of sexual harassment on Set It Ends With Us… alleging that her co-star created a toxic work environment and Also participated in defamation campaign against colleague. Release of the film.
In response, Baldoni denied the allegations.
Then, lawyers for the 40-year-old filed a $400 million lawsuit in the Southern District of New York on January 16 on behalf of Baldoni, producer Jamie Heath, publicist Jennifer Abel and Crisis publicist Melissa Nathan.
Baldoni previously said that Lively was “unable to take direction consistently” while shooting the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book.
The film’s director, Baldoni, also claimed that Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds hijacked It End’s With Us through script rewrites and that when “their ill-conceived promotions failed, Launched a defamation campaign against him.”
In sum, Baldoni alleges civil extortion… defamation… invasion of privacy in a false light… breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing… intentional interference with contractual relations… with potential pecuniary gain. Is taking legal action on charges of intentional interference… and potentially reckless interference. Economic benefits.
Earlier this week, meanwhile, he tried to prove his side by releasing behind-the-scenes footage of It End’s With Us.
The footage shows Baldoni and Lively talking and laughing during a romantic scene, with the pair also seen chatting about the most effective way to film the moment.
Proof that Baldoni was respectful and the two worked well together, right?
Wrong, Lively says now.
Lively’s lawyers said on January 21, “Justin Baldoni and his attorney may hope that this latest stunt will outweigh the damaging evidence against them, but the video itself is damning.”
The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth on her neck, and brushing her lips with his thumb. Caressing them, caressing them, telling them how good they smell. And talking to him without character.”
These lawyers alleged that “every moment of it was improvised by Mr. Baldoni without any discussion or prior consent, and without any intimacy coordinator present.”
he adds:
“Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively’s co-star, but also the director, head of the studio, and Ms. Lively’s boss. The video showed Ms. Lively leaning away and repeatedly asking to speak to the characters Is.
Lively has said that Baldoni showed her obscene images during filming, frequently brought up the topic of pornography, and generally made her feel humiliated and uncomfortable.
The Gossip Girl alum’s advice doubled down on Tuesday:
“Any woman who has been touched inappropriately in the workplace will identify with Ms Lively’s plight. They will recognize her gentle efforts to avoid unwanted touching. No woman should have to take defensive steps to avoid being touched by her employer without her consent.
In the message, Lively’s legal team also accused Baldoni of presenting an “unethical attempt to manipulate the public” by releasing behind-the-scenes footage.
As you can tell, things are getting worse between these two.
In a January 21 response, Baldoni’s lawyers said it was “his right to publicly defend himself by putting forward the actual facts and evidence,” continuing:
“Ms. Lively wants very different standards applied to her but fortunately, truth and authenticity apply to everyone and can never be wrong. Looking at the video and the evidence to come, I can understand that Ms. Lively Now why would you not want to show it publicly?