New Allegations and Legal Claims
Blake Lively has updated her legal complaint against actor and director Justin Baldoni, expanding her claims of misconduct during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” The newly filed amended complaint, submitted on February 18, 2025, incorporates additional details, including two other unnamed actresses who also felt uncomfortable due to Baldoni’s actions on set. These new witnesses are expected to corroborate Lively’s allegations by testifying and producing documents in the discovery process.
Lively’s legal team has also added a defamation claim in response to Baldoni’s lawsuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion. The amended complaint introduces this new cause of action alongside the existing allegations, including sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, related to Baldoni’s behavior during the film’s production.
Public Relations Battle Heats Up
In an unexpected move, Lively has enlisted the help of Nick Shapiro, the CIA’s former deputy chief of staff and a public relations expert, to navigate the growing media attention around the case. The decision to bring in such a high-profile PR figure underscores the stakes involved and the intense public scrutiny both Lively and Baldoni are facing.
At the same time, Baldoni’s team has taken the unusual step of launching a website with his amended complaint, alongside a timeline of events. This move takes the conflict beyond the courtroom and directly into the public sphere, shaping the narrative before trial. Both sides appear committed to influencing public perception, which could have far-reaching consequences.
Judicial Intervention and Industry Impact
The lawsuit and the broader dispute between the two have drawn significant public attention, with both sides exchanging strong words. In a related development, a federal judge recently warned both Lively and Baldoni against trying to influence the case through media commentary, signaling that such actions could expedite the legal proceedings.
This update in the lawsuit highlights the increasing complexity of workplace-related legal disputes, particularly in the entertainment industry, where the stakes are high, and public opinion plays a role in shaping the narrative. As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the addition of other actresses’ testimonies and the defamation claim affect the overall strategy and outcome.
