Los Angeles, Dec 22 (NationPress) Hollywood actress Blake Lively, who is also married to ‘Deadpool’ star Ryan Reynolds, has accused her ‘It Ends With Us’ director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment.
In her allegations, Lively claims that Baldoni attempted to orchestrate a smear campaign against her and asserts that his actions inflicted “severe emotional harm” on her and her family, as reported by ‘Variety’.
In response, Bryan Freedman, legal counsel for Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios, criticized Lively’s claims in a public statement, labeling them as “shameful” and filled with “categorically false accusations.” The complaint, which has been filed with the California Civil Rights Department, mentions that a meeting occurred in January 2024 to discuss Lively’s claims and her requests to return to work on ‘It Ends With Us’ following the conclusion of the actors and writers strikes that halted production. Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds, was reportedly present at this meeting.
During this meeting, Lively expressed that Baldoni had made comments about her weight to her trainer, pressured her to reveal her religious views, and made inappropriate remarks concerning his sex life. Additionally, Lively alleged that Jamey Heath, a producer of the film and CEO of Wayfarer Studios, showed her a video of his wife during childbirth.
Lively further claimed that both Baldoni and Heath entered her makeup trailer without her consent, including occasions when she was breastfeeding her infant. Her complaint also emphasized that the issues she raised were not solely for her own protection, but also for the safety of other female cast and crew members, many of whom had also voiced their concerns.
Blake Lively is well-known for her role as Serena van der Woodsen in the popular teen drama series ‘Gossip Girl’.
