Blake Lively accuses ‘With Us’ director and co-star of sexual harassment and smear campaign

Actor Blake Lively is accusing “This Is Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni after she nearly derailed the film by speaking out about a “hostile work environment.” She engaged in sexual harassment and attempted to discredit her reputation.

In a legal complaint filed this week, Lively claimed she had concerns about inappropriate behavior by Baldoni, the co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, the company that owns the film. She also outlined complaints against Wayfarer CEO and film producer Jamey Heath and named other defendants.

“Multiple Sclerosis. Lively seeks to set the record straight, hold Wayfarer groups and associates accountable, and expose this new form of retaliation so that it is not used against anyone else who stands up against sexual harassment,” New York That’s according to a complaint previously obtained by The Times and The Associated Press. The document, a precursor to the lawsuit, was reportedly filed with the California Department of Civil Rights on Friday.

The charges shed light on the working conditions and alleged conduct of Lively and her female colleagues while filming “This Is Over,” a film based on author Colleen Hoover’s novel about a woman struggling with domestic violence and emotional distress. Stories of women struggling with abuse. The film is released in August.

Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, refuted Lively’s allegations in a statement, calling them an attempt by Lively to repair his “negative reputation.” A “desperate attempt”.

“These claims are completely false, outrageous, and intentionally obscene in an effort to publicly hurt and reshape the media narrative,” Friedman said.

Some of the inappropriate behavior alleged in the complaint include producers showing nude videos and images of women without their consent, comments about Lively’s weight and body touching, and sexual remarks.

The complaint alleges that during one scene in the film, Baldoni kissed Lively and “carefully bit” her lower lip, even though the act was not rehearsed or discussed with her beforehand. He also insisted multiple times on filming the scene without an intimacy coordinator present.

The complaint alleges Lively was in labor while filming another scene described as “chaotic,” with the actor nearly naked and with her legs spread in stirrups. Allegedly, Baldoni and Heath did not shut down the set so crew members who were not critical to filming the scene were allowed to pass because Lively was in a vulnerable position.

Baldoni and Lively also allegedly clashed over what to film in other parts of the movie, such as adding a scene in which she was about to climax. Although Lively’s co-star agreed to delete the scenes after Lively objected, he then pressed Lively about her sex life with her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, which she refused to discuss and considered it “intrusive,” the lawsuit states. sexual”.

Lively claims the producers violated state and federal laws, caused her emotional distress and breached their contract.

The suit alleges that in January, Lively attended a meeting about sexual harassment allegations before actors resumed filming following a walkout in Hollywood. Other actresses and staff members also spoke about the working environment. Another actor had previously accused Bardoni of sexual harassment. The actors completed the film after agreeing to abide by a contract that outlined protections against the behavior.

As the cast and crew reportedly tried to promote the film ahead of its release, Baldoni allegedly plotted to damage Lively’s reputation while trying to preserve his public image, as the cast and crew took to social media I unfollowed him and did not appear in public with him.

“Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer colleagues embarked on a complex journalistic and digital scheme to retaliate against Ms. Lively for exercising her legally protected right to speak publicly about their inappropriate conduct on set, with the additional purpose of intimidating her and anyone else, lest they disclose their actions publicly.

The “sophisticated” scheme allegedly involved hiring publicist, crisis manager and Texas subcontractor Jed Wallace, who helped create and promote social media content that damaged Lively’s reputation, according to the complaint.

It also received significant funding. Wayfarer co-founder and co-chairman Steve Sarowitz, a billionaire, allegedly said he was prepared to spend $100 million to destroy Lively’s life and her family, according to the complaint.

Wayfarer and Baldoni also hired The Agency Group PR, which advised them to publish online comments and opinions that were believed to be from the public but were actually from companies or political groups. The company’s public relations crisis services would last for several months, with prices ranging from $75,000 to $175,000, according to the complaint.

Friedman, the attorney representing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and their representatives, defended his client’s decision to hire a crisis manager ahead of the film’s marketing campaign “because of the multiple demands and demands made by Ms. Lively during the production process.” The threats, which included her not being on the set and promoting the film if her demands were not met, ultimately led to the film’s demise during its release.

Friedman’s statement did not specifically address Lively’s allegations.

Lively said in her complaint that the campaign against her appeared to be working, with charts showing a spike in negative comments about her on social media. It also allegedly damaged Lively’s image, her business and caused emotional distress for the actress and her family.

In one incident, Baldoni even claimed he could talk to dead people, telling Lively he had spoken to her dead father.

“She sometimes had difficulty getting out of bed and often chose not to venture out in public,” the complaint states. “While she worked hard to maintain her personal life and business interests, privately she suffered from grief, fear, trauma and extreme anxiety.”

The lawsuit alleges that online negativity made it difficult for Lively to feel comfortable at public events. In September, she quit hosting “Saturday Night Live,” which was set to kick off the show’s 50th anniversary season.