The behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the film It Ends With Us has taken a sharp turn with allegations of a smear campaign and serious misconduct. Co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, who also served as director and lead actress respectively, are at the center of explosive accusations, with Lively filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni.
Allegations of a Smear Campaign
The controversy intensified when alleged text messages obtained by Page Six suggested that Baldoni, alongside his publicist, discussed a contingency plan to tarnish Lively’s reputation. This alleged plan followed Ryan Reynolds blocking Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, on Instagram. Baldoni reportedly feared that Lively might also block him after the film’s release, leading him to propose a strategy to undermine her credibility preemptively.
On-Set Tensions and Lawsuit Details
The alleged feud between Baldoni and Lively had already fueled rumors before the film’s premiere, with the two notably avoiding interaction during promotional events. According to Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni’s behavior on set made her feel deeply uncomfortable. The claims include:
- Baldoni showing her nude images and videos of women.
- Repeated discussions about his past struggles with porn addiction.
- Inappropriate conversations about cast and crew members’ genitalia.
- Improvising kissing scenes and adding gratuitous sexual content without consent.
- Launching alleged retaliatory social media campaigns to harm her reputation.
The lawsuit also describes Lively convening an “all-hands” meeting during production to establish boundaries, though her concerns were reportedly disregarded.
Industry Fallout
The fallout from the accusations has been significant. Baldoni has been dropped by his talent agency, WME, while Lively continues to be represented by them. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios’ attorney, Brian Freedman, has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.”
In contrast, Lively expressed hope that her lawsuit would shed light on what she called “sinister retaliatory tactics” and prevent others from being similarly targeted.
Impact on It Ends With Us
The controversy has overshadowed the film’s release, with marketing efforts already struggling due to criticism of Lively’s earlier promotional efforts and her alleged takeover of production responsibilities. The scandal, combined with on-set tensions and the lawsuit, has cast a long shadow over the movie’s potential success.
As the legal battle unfolds, both Baldoni and Lively will likely face increased scrutiny. The allegations, if proven true, could have lasting implications for Baldoni’s career and raise broader questions about power dynamics in the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, Lively’s willingness to speak out highlights the challenges women face in holding colleagues accountable for inappropriate behavior.