Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are facing legal action from actor Justin Baldoni, who claims he was verbally berated by Reynolds during a confrontation that allegedly occurred at a Los Angeles Whole Foods. According to a complaint filed by Baldoni, the encounter escalated after Reynolds accused him of “fat-shaming” Lively, leading to an intense verbal exchange.
Baldoni, 40, described the encounter as “traumatic,” recalling that Reynolds, 48, demanded an apology for Lively, 37, accusing Baldoni of making comments about her weight. The complaint alleges that Baldoni’s refusal to apologize for something he didn’t say only angered Reynolds further, resulting in a “humiliating berating” that occurred in front of other celebrities who were visiting the penthouse at the time.
Baldoni’s legal team argues that the confrontation was inappropriate and damaging. They also claim that Reynolds’s actions were intended to embarrass Baldoni, with the exchange unfolding just as other high-profile figures were entering and exiting the location.
The Root of the Dispute: A Misunderstanding Over Weight Concerns
The disagreement is said to have stemmed from a misunderstanding regarding Lively’s weight. According to Baldoni, he asked a trainer how much Lively weighed because he had concerns about his back issues and the physical demands of an upcoming scene in which he would have to lift her. The trainer allegedly passed this information on to Lively, who then informed Reynolds, triggering the confrontation.
In the complaint, Baldoni’s attorneys assert that no such scene requiring him to lift Lively existed, which they argue highlights the confusion surrounding the situation. The fat-shaming accusation, they claim, was the result of a simple concern about safety during filming.
The situation reportedly intensified when Lively, upon hearing of Baldoni’s inquiry, threatened to quit the project, despite her contractual obligations. According to Baldoni’s legal team, Lively issued an ultimatum, demanding either that someone else be cast in her role or that Baldoni work with her under her specific terms, which she described as “her way or the highway.”
Blake Lively’s Claims of Degradation and Retaliation
In addition to Baldoni’s accusations, Lively’s own legal filings paint a troubling picture of a hostile work environment. Her complaint alleges that Baldoni “routinely degraded” her by finding covert ways to criticize her body and weight. Lively, who had given birth to her fourth child just four months prior to these events, allegedly became aware that Baldoni had reached out to her fitness trainer, asking about her weight loss goals and implying that she needed to lose weight in just two weeks to meet production demands. Lively’s attorneys argue that this was done without her consent and without a legitimate reason, as no such scene involving lifting was ever planned.
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Lively’s complaint also includes details about an “all-hands” meeting held in January 2024, which aimed to address the “hostile work environment” that had been created on set. Lively attended the meeting with Reynolds by her side, asserting her right to have a representative present. During the meeting, the production team discussed the concerns that had been raised, with Lively and others expressing dissatisfaction over the working conditions.
Lively’s attorneys argue that the events have caused significant emotional distress for the actress, and they claim that Reynolds, too, has been affected by the situation, both mentally and professionally, due to the impact it has had on his wife and children.
Legal Action and Allegations of Retaliation
As part of the ongoing legal battle, Lively filed a federal complaint against Baldoni’s company, Wayfarer Studios, and others involved in the production, alleging violations of federal and California state law. Her complaint asserts that she was retaliated against after raising concerns about workplace safety and sexual harassment. Lively’s attorneys have stated that their client hopes her legal action will “pull back the curtain” on retaliatory tactics aimed at silencing those who speak out against misconduct.
The legal drama has drawn attention from Lively’s former co-stars and colleagues, many of whom have voiced their support for the actress. Brandon Sklenar, Lively’s It Ends With Us co-star, encouraged fans to read the full complaint, while Jenny Slate expressed her admiration for Lively’s bravery, describing the situation as “terribly dark, disturbing and wholly threatening.”
Baldoni’s Allegations and Career Fallout
In a separate legal move, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against The New York Times, which Lively’s legal team responded to by filing a federal complaint. Among the allegations in Baldoni’s complaint is that Reynolds approached his agent at the Deadpool 3 premiere in July 2024 and allegedly demanded that Baldoni be dropped from the agency. Baldoni was reportedly cut by his agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME), shortly thereafter.
However, WME issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Jan. 1, denying the claim that Reynolds exerted pressure to have Baldoni removed as a client. “This is not true,” the agency said, adding that neither Reynolds nor Lively had ever pressured them regarding Baldoni’s representation.
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As the legal battles continue, both Lively and Baldoni face challenges in the public and professional arenas. The ongoing cases are expected to shine a spotlight on the complexities of workplace dynamics, celebrity influence, and the potential consequences of public disputes in the entertainment industry.
