Justin Baldoni, the actor and co-producer of the film It Ends With Us, is facing serious legal trouble after Blake Lively, his co-star, filed a lawsuit accusing him of causing her severe emotional distress and creating a hostile work environment during the movie's production. The allegations have sparked controversy and drawn attention, especially as the movie had already gained attention in August 2024. The situation has only intensified with reports of a rift between Blake and Justin on set, which later escalated into legal action.
According to documents seen by multiple outlets, the accusations against Justin are severe. Blake claims the work environment was so toxic that a formal meeting had to be held to address the growing concerns. The meeting was reportedly attended by Ryan Reynolds, Blake’s husband, and Jamey Heath from Wayfarer Productions, the company behind the film. The issues, however, did not end there. Blake also accused Justin of using "sinister retaliatory tactics" to damage her reputation, including hiring a crisis PR team to intentionally slander her name during the film's promotional period.
Blake has filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, which is seen as a precursor to a lawsuit. In addition to the claims of retaliation, Blake accused Justin of making inappropriate remarks about her weight and her father's death. These comments, she says, took a toll on her mental health. The lawsuit also claims that the stress affected not only Blake but her entire family, including her husband and four children. She said the emotional impact left her struggling with grief, trauma, and extreme anxiety, making it hard for her to get out of bed or face the public. The filing also states that the distress caused by Justin's behavior had a significant effect on her family, especially their young children, who were emotionally hurt by the situation.
During the promotional period for It Ends With Us, Justin and Blake reportedly interacted separately from the rest of the cast. These tensions were apparent to fans and the media. The lawsuit claims that Blake’s distress, caused by the on-set experience and Justin’s alleged behavior, deeply impacted her, both physically and emotionally. She also accused Justin of making repeated remarks about her personal life that were invasive and damaging. Blake emphasized how these issues affected her physical health, causing pain and stress, and how the entire family was left to deal with the fallout.
Blake’s legal action seeks to bring attention to what she describes as harmful behavior, and she hopes her actions will protect others from similar experiences. "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct," she said in a statement.
In response to the allegations, Justin Baldoni’s legal team has fiercely denied the claims. His lawyer, Brian Freedman, called the accusations "false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious," claiming they were made to hurt Justin publicly. He suggested that Blake’s negative reputation stemmed from her own behavior during the movie’s promotion, adding that her remarks had been observed publicly and led to widespread opinion online.
As the legal battle continues, the situation has left fans and industry insiders alike wondering what the future holds for the two stars of It Ends With Us.