Blake Lively’s legal team has fired back after Justin Baldoni’s attorneys released behind-the-scenes footage of the pair from the set of It Ends with Us in an attempt to discredit her claims. The release of the footage, which aired on TMZ on January 21, follows a sexual harassment lawsuit Lively filed against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of creating a “hostile work environment” during the making of the hit film.
The video, which features Baldoni and Lively filming a dialogue-free scene, shows the two actors joking around, with Baldoni making remarks about his nose and Lively’s spray tan. His legal team claims the footage refutes Lively’s accusations, arguing that the behind-the-scenes clip demonstrates a harmless, lighthearted moment between the co-stars. However, Lively’s lawyers argue that the footage only confirms her allegations of inappropriate behavior on set.
Lively’s Allegations of Sexual Harassment
In her December 20 lawsuit, Lively, 37, accused Baldoni, 40, of sexual harassment, detailing several instances of what she described as “unprofessional” and “disturbing” conduct. Among the most serious allegations was a description of a “slow dance scene,” during which Baldoni allegedly leaned in and “slowly dragged his lips from her ear and down her neck” while saying, “It smells so good.” Lively’s suit further claims that Baldoni’s conduct, which included unwanted caressing and kissing, had nothing to do with their roles, leaving Lively feeling “grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.”
After the alleged incident, Lively claims Baldoni responded to her objections by stating, “I’m not even attracted to you.” The actress’s legal team described this behavior as crossing professional boundaries and contributing to a “hostile work environment.”
Baldoni’s Response and Legal Counterattack
Baldoni’s legal team countered Lively’s allegations with its own legal action. On December 31, 2024, Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the publication of libel and invasion of privacy. This suit stemmed from an article that covered Lively’s harassment claims, which Baldoni contended were false.
On January 16, 2025, Baldoni escalated the conflict further by filing a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, claiming defamation, extortion, and more. Baldoni’s suit centers on claims made by Lively regarding a scene in which the actress allegedly suggested Baldoni undergo plastic surgery to fix his nose. In the newly released footage, the two can be seen joking about his nose, with Lively making a quip about plastic surgery.
Baldoni’s attorneys assert that the footage shows the two actors engaging in friendly banter, insisting that there was nothing inappropriate or unprofessional about their interactions on set.
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Lively’s Legal Team Pushes Back
In response to the video release, Lively’s legal team issued a statement condemning Baldoni’s actions. The statement, shared with PEOPLE, argued that “every frame of the released footage corroborates, to the letter,” the actress’s allegations. The footage, Lively’s team contends, shows Baldoni repeatedly engaging in uninvited physical contact, including attempting to kiss her, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, and making unsolicited comments about how she smelled.
The legal team further emphasized that the actions in the video were improvised by Baldoni, with no prior discussion or consent from Lively. They also pointed out the absence of an intimacy coordinator during the filming of the scene, which is standard practice for ensuring on-set safety in intimate or physically close scenes. Lively’s lawyers noted that her discomfort is evident in the footage, as she leans away from Baldoni and requests that the two characters “just talk,” rather than continue the improvised physical interaction.
“No woman should have to take defensive measures to avoid being touched by their employer without their consent,” Lively’s lawyers said in their statement. “Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognize Ms. Lively’s discomfort.”
Ongoing Legal Battle
Lively’s legal team also decried the release of the footage as an unethical attempt to manipulate public opinion and undermine her case. “It is also a continuation of their harassment and retaliatory campaign,” they said. The statement concluded by reaffirming their commitment to the legal process, promising to pursue justice through the courts rather than engaging in “manufactured media stunts.”
In addition to the release of the video, Baldoni’s attorneys announced plans to launch a website containing “all correspondence as well as relevant videos” aimed at discrediting Lively’s claims. This digital campaign is expected to further fuel the ongoing public dispute between the two actors.
What’s Next?
As both parties continue their legal battles, the situation remains tense and unresolved. Lively’s lawsuit is set to proceed through the legal system, and both sides have indicated they are prepared for a lengthy court process. While the release of the footage may influence public opinion, Lively’s legal team has made it clear that they are focused on securing justice through legal channels, rather than through media portrayals.
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The case is likely to have broader implications for workplace conduct in the entertainment industry, as well as the ways in which actors and directors interact on set. As the lawsuits unfold, both Lively and Baldoni are bracing for a protracted and highly publicized legal fight.