Blake Lively has officially filed a second lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, citing “severe and serious emotional distress” caused by what she describes as a campaign to ruin her reputation. The legal filing accuses Baldoni, along with his publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis PR Melissa Nathan, of working together to retaliate against her for reporting allegations of sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns during the production of It Ends With Us. The complaint also names Wayfarer Studios, Baldoni’s co-owned company, as a defendant.
The lawsuit, filed on New Year’s Eve in New York, alleges Baldoni and his associates violated federal and California state laws by orchestrating a smear campaign. This comes after Lively’s December complaint, where she accused Baldoni of attempting to add gratuitous nudity to the film and allegedly breaking down in her dressing room over her appearance. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has dismissed the claims as “categorically false.”
Wayfarer Studios and Baldoni have yet to issue new statements regarding the recent lawsuit. Meanwhile, Baldoni himself has countersued The New York Times for $250 million, alleging defamation and manipulated reporting on the allegations. His lawyer argues that the publication distorted communications and facts, though the paper defends its reporting as meticulous and evidence-based.
The situation has continued to escalate, with both parties locked in a contentious legal battle. As the case unfolds, public interest remains high, reflecting broader conversations about workplace dynamics, accountability, and the pressures of Hollywood.
