
Every day there is new information and footage being released as the claim and counter claim continue in the fallout between these two Hollywood players. With the Me-Too movement rightly adjusting the male biased power dynamic existing behind the scenes of tinsel town, this at first glance seemed just another sad case of a woman being subjected to a sexist and toxic working environment. However, things may not be what they seem at first glance.
Continuing on from my article https://overtheshoulder.co.uk/2024/08/30/all-that-glitters-is-not-gold-7-co-stars-that-didnt-get-on/, it all started in the public’s imagination a few months ago when Blake Lively filed a legal compliant that Justin Baldoni (co-star/director) sexually harassed her and subjected her to a smear campaign whilst filming IT END’S WITH US. She alleges that Baldoni repeated entered her trailer uninvited, even during private moments like pumping/breastfeeding. Lively also alleges that Justin routinely degraded her by finding back-channel ways to criticise her weight and body before filming. She claims that she felt humiliated that Baldoni had secretly called her fitness trainer without her knowledge.
Baldoni fought back and filed a 400 million lawsuit for libel and defamation against her as well as the New York Times who published the original article. According to transcripts published by Baldoni’s legal team, it was Blake who introduced him to the celebrity trainer and friend who then became Justin’s trainer on January 22, 2023.
Baldoni provides a text message he sent to Blake, after she expressed insecurities about her body and request for her body shots to be done at the end of the shoot, saying “you look amazing, anything that you feel insecure about we will walk through and get creative together and make you comfortable and I don’t want you to stress about your body, it is the last thing you need.”

It is hard to see where the degradation is in this transcript, although it must be stressed that Blake Lively has yet not revealed evidence of her own. Baldoni says that he was summoned to Lively’s and her husband Ryan Reynolds penthouse, where he was astounded to receive a dressing down from the Deadpool star for fat shaming his wife.
The Lively team also claims that she felt very uncomfortable when Justin leaned in towards Lively multiple of times during filming, attempting to kiss her and talking with her out of character when it wasn’t in the script. She says that the scene was without words and that he had dragged his lips down her neck saying, “it smells so good.”
Baldoni’s team released three outtakes of the scene in question. They are of a couple romantically dancing together and the footage has audio. Whilst these things are subjective it seems that both parties are being professional and respectful. Blake Lively seems to be relaxed and in control and when Baldoni kisses her neck he apologises for his scratchy beard. Baldoni has claimed that as the director of the movie he felt bullied by Blake during this scene, as her constant suggestions undermined his position. You watch for yourself at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIX7Clu_ZSU&t=2s) and make your own mind up.
There was an issue during filming that seems to have been the spark for the tension. It all really came about because of a ‘sexy’ comment made by director Baldoni. There were debates amongst wardrobe, director and Lively about her costumes and how “sexy” they should be. A Baldoni comment of “that will look sexier” led Blake to make a complaint to studio heads Sony. Sony asked her “do you want to make it formal? And Blake allegedly said “no.” This led to Baldoni starting a smear campaign against her she alleges.
Baldoni claims that Blake instigated the use of the word “sexy” on set and used the word on more than one occasion to describe her character.
The strategy of the Baldoni team seems to be to share as much information as they can to support his position with as many people as possible to build some momentum. This includes a timeline and a detailed legal complaint. (https://thelawsuitinfo.com/downloads/timeline-of-relevant-events.pdf)
For Blake Lively’s team, the strategy so far is unclear, as they have so far not produced too much material to support their position. They may be keeping the smoking gun evidence for a later date.
TMZ, the influential Showbiz Website and channel have leaned towards the opinion that both teams have made smear campaigns against each other.
There is a pretrial hearing starting as I write this, with Blake Lively’s team trying to get the judge to dismiss the Baldoni lawsuit. This could turn out to be a courtroom drama worthy of a series of its own.
This story is going to run and run.
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