The ongoing legal conflict between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has drawn Hollywood’s attention from around the corner. It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, starred Lively as the lead, alongside Baldoni, who also served as the film’s director.
Lively’s federal lawsuit against Baldoni, filed in late 2024, is set for trial in 2026. The actress described it as s*xual harassment, retaliation, and damage to her career and public image. The following details the 10 main allegations Lively has made against Baldoni based on legal filings and media reporting.
1. Alleged Unscripted and Improvised Kissing on Set
A still from It Ends With Us | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
One of the central allegations in Blake Lively’s complaint is that Justin Baldoni engaged in unscripted intimacy that was neither rehearsed nor choreographed. This proves to be a base-level cause of the case.
This behavior, which Lively’s lawyers described as improvised and inappropriate, was a key part of her broader accusation that Baldoni created a work environment where normal professional boundaries were blurred.
2. Accusations of a Hostile and Uncomfortable Work Environment
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively | Credits: Instagram/@blakelively
One of Lively’s lawsuits alleges inappropriate behavior on set. This includes repeated improper comments and actions that created a hostile work environment that nearly derailed production of the film (via BBC).
She further alleges that her concerns about such an environment called for a producers’ meeting. A few measures were discussed in the meeting. A lot of things that turned into unwanted physical interactions have collectively made the allegations more staunch.
3. Claims of No Intimacy Coordinator During Intimate Scenes
For any production, industry standards require the presence of a professional intimacy coordinator when filming scenes involving any kind of intimate contact. The complaint says that (via People),
[Baldoni] improvised physical intimacy that had not been rehearsed, choreographed, or discussed with Ms. Lively, with no intimacy coordinator involved.Moreover, despite requests and agreement, a coordinator was not consistently present when these scenes were filmed early in production. The Gossip Girl alleged that Baldoni’s actions also included caressing her neck with his mouth and making comments about the way she smelled.
4. Accusations of Body-Related and Personal Comments
A still from It Ends With Us | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
According to Lively’s complaint, Baldoni made suggestive remarks about her outfit and body at a bar in front of other cast and crew members.
He eventually told Lively that he had not always received consent in s*xual relationships, while discussing his past p*rn addiction, and allegedly setting her up with a weight-loss specialist without her approval.
It is also accused that Baldoni shared unwanted details about his personal s*x life and asked Lively about her own, claiming he communicated with Lively’s dead father.
5. Alleged Retaliation After Raising On-Set Concerns
Blake Lively in Gossip Girl | Credits: The CW
Perhaps this should be the most contentious aspect of the case. Lively’s claim that retaliation followed her raising concerns about on-set behavior seems huge.
Her lawsuit alleges that after reporting incidents and seeking formal protections, Baldoni and his associates engaged in actions meant to undermine her position.
The complaint states that (via Entertainment Weekly),
Mr. Baldoni was desperate to suppress any suggestion that he engaged [in] inappropriate conduct, much less s*xually harassing conduct, because it would entirely undermine his carefully curated public image as a feminist ally.
This allegation includes the response that extended beyond the set. This also points to the reputation management outside the production for both parties.
6. Claims of a Coordinated Smear Campaign
Isabela Ferrer in It Ends With Us | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
Lively alleged that Baldoni and his team orchestrated a coordinated smear campaign to tarnish her reputation following her complaints about misconduct.
According to the lawsuit and subsequent reporting, Lively claims the retaliatory campaign involved social media manipulation, planting negative stories, and amplifying criticism of her character and professional conduct.
The alleged campaign was driven by Baldoni’s fear that any claims of inappropriate or s*xually harassing behavior could become public, prompting efforts to silence them.
7. Alleged Damage to Professional Reputation and Career
Blake Lively in It Ends With Us | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
As part of her claims regarding retaliation and smear tactics, Lively has pointed out that such alleged actions have led to significant damage to her professional reputation and business interests. From her hair care range to future projects in Hollywood, everything has come under scrutiny.
Blake Lively’s legal filings indicate she is seeking over $160 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The complaint states she experienced extreme anxiety in the aftermath of the alleged campaign.
8. Alleged Intrusions Into Private Spaces (Trailer Incidents)
Blake Lively | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
Blake Lively also alleges that Baldoni and the studio’s CEO, Jamey Heath, entered her private workspaces without permission. This included her makeup trailer when she was with her newborn.
The complaint explicitly stated that,
[Baldoni] invaded her personal space when she was undressed and vulnerable while breastfeeding her baby.This allegation is also referenced within the claims of the hostile environment Lively described in her filings. This category of claims centers on statements about how Lively felt unprofessional in her role as an actor and producer.
At its core, the legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni subtly lays out how complicated workplace issues in Hollywood can become. Lively’s allegations paint a picture of a set where professional boundaries were, according to her, repeatedly crossed, leading to discomfort and long-term personal and professional impact.
From claims of unscripted intimacy to accusations of retaliation and reputation damage, the lawsuit is coming at a high cost for her.
Though these allegations will ultimately be tested in court, Justin Baldoni has denied the claims; the legal process is still unfolding. However, the case has already sparked wider conversations about consent, power dynamics, and accountability on film sets.
Concluding, as the trial approaches, the outcome might shape how the industry handles similar concerns in the future and how safe performers feel when raising them.
What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments below.
It Ends With Us is available for streaming on Netflix (US).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
