Actress Blake Lively has accused her co-star and director of “It Ends With Us,” Justin Baldoni, of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment on set. Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, stating that an “all hands” meeting was called to address issues that almost derailed production. The complaint includes allegations of inappropriate behavior such as showing nude images, improvising physical intimacy without consent, and pressuring her to simulate nudity during a birth scene. Lively also claims Baldoni tried to enter her trailer while she was nude, made inappropriate comments about her weight, and discussed personal sexual experiences and pornography addiction.
Baldoni’s representative, Bryan Freedman, denies the allegations, calling them false and salacious. The complaint also accuses Baldoni of launching a retaliatory social media campaign against Lively to ruin her reputation after she expressed concerns about his behavior on set. The film’s promotional marketing plan reportedly shifted focus away from the story of domestic violence portrayed in the movie in an attempt to discredit Lively.
Lively hopes her legal action brings attention to the retaliatory tactics used against those who speak up about misconduct and protects others from similar experiences. Sony Pictures Entertainment, the film’s distributor, has not yet commented on the allegations. The movie, based on a bestselling novel, follows Lively’s character in an abusive relationship with a neurosurgeon played by Baldoni, while Jenny Slate plays his sister.
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