In the unpredictable world of Hollywood, tensions sometimes simmer below the surface, only to erupt when least expected. Such was the case when actor-director Justin Baldoni accused Ryan Reynolds of aggressively confronting him over allegations related to Blake Lively, Reynolds’ wife and Baldoni’s costar in ‘It Ends With Us.’
Baldoni has now taken legal action, filing a whopping $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times. This move comes after a December article that highlighted Blake Lively’s complaint regarding alleged sexual harassment and a damaging smear campaign. The article, Baldoni alleges, was influenced by the whims of Hollywood power couple Lively and Reynolds. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, accuses the publication of using altered texts to support their narrative, claiming they have sufficient evidence to prove their side.
The New York Times, however, stands firm on their story’s accuracy, asserting it was based on thorough examination of substantial documentation, including text messages and emails. They plan to mount a robust defense against Baldoni’s claims.
According to Baldoni’s legal documents, a critical incident unfolded at a meeting in Lively and Reynolds’ New York apartment. Here, Reynolds allegedly launched into a verbal attack, making Baldoni describe the event as ‘traumatic.’ Reynolds demanded an apology from Baldoni for supposedly ‘fat-shaming’ Lively, which Baldoni denies ever doing.
This incident arose from a misunderstanding, Baldoni claims. He had inquired about Lively’s weight from her trainer, supposedly due to back issues that concerned him about lifting her during a scene. This information, relayed out of context, allegedly fueled the confrontation with Reynolds.
The conflict escalated when Lively reportedly threatened to exit the film production, offering Baldoni an ultimatum—either replace her or adhere to her conditions. Meanwhile, in her legal filings, Lively’s attorneys painted a picture of regular disparagement by Baldoni, accusing him of undermining her body image. They claimed that Baldoni covertly asked a trainer to help Lively lose weight without her knowledge, framing it as a professional necessity despite no such scene requiring it.
Adding to the drama, Lively convened a meeting in January 2024, aired grievances, and included Reynolds as her chosen representative. Her legal team emphasized the severe emotional toll on both her and Reynolds, arguing the ongoing issues impacted their family and professional lives.
Amid these legal battles, Baldoni faced professional setbacks, notably being dropped by his agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME). Allegations surfaced about Reynolds pressuring the agency to cut ties with Baldoni, although WME refuted these claims publicly, standing by their decision.
Lively, undeterred, expanded her own legal action against Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, asserting violations of federal and state laws concerning harassment and workplace safety. Her stance aims to shine a light on what she describes as retaliatory tactics against those who speak out.
Support for Lively has poured in from various quarters, including former costars. They admire her courage in bringing these issues to the forefront, with remarks by Jenny Slate highlighting the seriousness and unsettling nature of the allegations, underscoring community support for Lively.
This celebrity legal tussle has put a spotlight on the power dynamics and complex interpersonal issues that can plague the entertainment industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how this high-profile drama will impact the careers and lives of those involved, while offering a window into the often-hidden challenges behind the glamorous Hollywood facade.
Source: Yahoo
