It Ends with Us controversy

File:It ends with us.jpg by Colleen Hoover, the novel the film is adapted from, is known for its exploration of themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse. ]]It Ends with Us is a 2016 romance novel written by the American author Colleen Hoover. The book's main character is the florist Lily Bloom, who dates the neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. Ryle turns out to be violent once Lily is already invested in their relationship. After coming across her childhood friend and first love, Atlas Corrigan, Lily sees an alternative. The story was inspired by Hoover's parents, who had an abusive marriage as per Hoover.{{Cite web |last=Nicolaou |first=Elena |last2=Sher |first2=Emily |date=2024-08-24 |title=This memorable 'It Ends With Us' line was left out of the movie. Justin Baldoni reveals why |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/it-ends-with-us-book-movie-differences-rcna165463 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}}

It Ends with Us has been translated into more than 20 languages other than English and has sold over a million copies worldwide by 2019. It was voted the best romance novel of 2016 by Goodreads.{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=July 15, 2019 |title=Justin Baldoni Developing 'It Ends With Us' Romance Movie |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-movie-jane-the-virgin-1203268293/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905013609/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-movie-jane-the-virgin-1203268293/ |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2022 |website=Variety}} In 2021, the novel experienced a surge in popularity due to attention on BookTok.{{Cite news |last=Italie |first=Hillel |date=September 16, 2021 |title=Author Colleen Hoover's word-of-mouth success |url=https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-entertainment-business-arts-and-entertainment-fiction-fbed44e32e3797b7c3fdbf0a4a7daead |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415023929/https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-entertainment-business-arts-and-entertainment-fiction-fbed44e32e3797b7c3fdbf0a4a7daead |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=January 6, 2022 |work=Associated Press}}{{cite news |last=Merry |first=Stephanie |date=January 20, 2022 |title=On TikTok, crying is encouraged. Colleen Hoover's books get the job done. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2022/01/20/colleen-hoover-tiktok/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220505205747/https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2022/01/20/colleen-hoover-tiktok/ |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |access-date=February 11, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} In 2022, It Ends with Us topped The New York Times Best Seller list and the Publishers Weekly annual list.{{Cite web |last=Milliot |first=Jim |date=January 6, 2023 |title=Colleen Hoover Was Queen of 2022's Bestseller List |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/91256-colleen-hoover-was-queen-of-2022-s-bestseller-list.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409112812/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/91256-colleen-hoover-was-queen-of-2022-s-bestseller-list.html |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2022 |title=Combined Print & E-Book Fiction – Best Sellers – Books |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2022/01/16/combined-print-and-e-book-fiction/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318112834/https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2022/01/16/combined-print-and-e-book-fiction/ |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |access-date=February 11, 2022 |work=The New York Times}} It subsequently became the best-selling novel of 2023,{{cite magazine |last=Milliot |first=Jim |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Women Ruled the 2023 Bestseller List |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/94047-women-ruled-the-2023-bestseller-list.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108161136/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/94047-women-ruled-the-2023-bestseller-list.html |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |magazine=Publishers Weekly}} and Hoover's most popular work.

In July 2019, the American actor and director Justin Baldoni announced on Instagram that he has picked up It Ends with Us from Hoover for a film adaptation, produced through his digital content company, Wayfarer Studios. In January 2023, the American actress Blake Lively was cast in the role of Lily Bloom, while Baldoni was cast as Ryle Kincaid.{{cite news |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=January 26, 2023 |title=The It Ends With Us Movie Ends Up Casting Blake Lively |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/01/it-ends-with-us-movie-casts-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127020514/http://www.vulture.com/2023/01/it-ends-with-us-movie-casts-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |work=Vulture}} It was Baldoni's decision to cast Lively as Lily, whereas Hoover asked Baldoni to play Ryle himself.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Kathleen |date=2024-08-08 |title=A Judge Just Dismissed Justin Baldoni’s Countersuit Against Blake Lively |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-cast-movie-drama-rumors-explained |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Glamour |language=en-US}} Actors Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate, and Hasan Minhaj were also cast. Principal photography began in Hoboken, New Jersey, in May 2023.{{cite magazine |last1=Campano |first1=Leah |last2=Oh |first2=Hannah |date=May 16, 2023 |orig-date=January 27, 2023 |title=Everything We Know About the Film Adaptation of Colleen Hoover's "It Ends With Us" |url=https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a42686848/it-ends-with-us-film-colleen-hoover/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612155403/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a42686848/it-ends-with-us-film-colleen-hoover/ |archive-date=June 12, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |magazine=Seventeen}} Following a pause in production due to the 2023 Writers Guild of American (WGA) strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike,{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Blake Lively Pic It Ends With Us Paused By WGA Pickets; Reports Of Mission: Impossible 8 Stoppage Untrue |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/blake-lively-film-it-ends-with-us-halted-by-wga-pickets-mission-impossible-8-postponement-reports-false-1235416306/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230613220623/https://deadline.com/2023/06/blake-lively-film-it-ends-with-us-halted-by-wga-pickets-mission-impossible-8-postponement-reports-false-1235416306/ |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation}}{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Umberto |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Here Are All The Movies Affected by the SAG-AFTRA Strike From Deadpool 3 to Mission: Impossible 8 (Photos) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/sag-aftra-strike-movies-affected-deadpool-3-mi8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714014112/https://www.thewrap.com/sag-aftra-strike-movies-affected-deadpool-3-mi8/ |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=TheWrap}} filming resumed in Jersey City, New Jersey, in January 2024.{{Cite web |last=Farina |first=Danielle |date=January 5, 2024 |title=Casting Call for It Ends With Us; Filming Next Week in Jersey City |url=https://www.hobokengirl.com/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-jersey-city-new-jersey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815140939/https://www.hobokengirl.com/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-jersey-city-new-jersey/ |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |access-date=April 6, 2024 |website=The Hoboken Girl}}{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Amanda |date=January 18, 2024 |title='It Ends with Us': Filming spots around the state, a NJ-born actor, and new release date |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/01/18/it-ends-with-us-movie-filming-locations-nj/72254149007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718051808/https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/01/18/it-ends-with-us-movie-filming-locations-nj/72254149007/ |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |access-date=July 18, 2024 |website=NorthJersey.com}}

Photographs of Lively and Baldoni from the set appeared on internet news outlets and social media websites.{{Cite web |last=Aizin |first=Rebecca |date=June 9, 2025 |title=A Complete Timeline of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's Feud (Including the Latest in their Legal Battle) |url=https://people.com/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-legal-drama-timeline-8785868 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=People |language=en}} It caused fans of the novel to question the direction of the movie, Lively’s outfits particularly. Some expressed concern that Lively is too old to play Lily, who is in her early 20s in the book. Hoover later blamed her own ignorance and explained that the characters in the book are too young for their life experiences, and that the film is a more realistic portrayal. The film's trailer was released on May 16, 2024, set to the 2020 song "My Tears Ricochet" by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, a close friend of Lively.{{Cite web |title=The Second Trailer for Blake Lively's Upcoming Movie 'It Ends With Us' Is Here |url=https://www.instyle.com/it-ends-with-us-movie-cast-date-8549467 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=InStyle |language=en}}

The film was released on August 9, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and posted a solid box-office performance, marking Lively's highest-grossing project yet.

Media outlets alleged a "feud" between Baldoni and the rest of the film's cast when Baldoni was mostly absent from the film's press tour throughout 2024, opting to take interviews separately from the cast. Baldoni spoke to Access Hollywood, Today, Entertainment Tonight and Good Morning America, while Lively spoke to Vogue, Capital FM and CBS Mornings; they never appeared together.{{Cite magazine |last=Murray |first=Conor |title='It Ends With Us' Actor Brandon Sklenar Addresses Alleged Cast Drama—Here's Why Fans Think Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Are Feuding |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/08/14/why-fans-think-it-ends-with-us-stars-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-are-feuding-as-baldoni-reportedly-hires-crisis-pr/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209101128/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/08/14/why-fans-think-it-ends-with-us-stars-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-are-feuding-as-baldoni-reportedly-hires-crisis-pr/ |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |magazine=Forbes}} The cast also deflected in answering specific questions about Baldoni. Multiple viewers described Lively's answer to a question on a Yahoo! Entertainment interview about building trust with Baldoni as "wild" as she did not mention him at all.

Social media discussions about Lively grew more critical. She faced criticism for promoting her alcohol brand, Betty Booze, while also promoting a film about domestic violence, an issue that is often linked to alcoholism, and for promoting the film in an upbeat tone, encouraging audiences to {{qi|grab your friends and wear your florals}} to the theater. Lively also promoted her hair care line, Blake Brown, during the press tour, which some viewed as inappropriate given the film's focus on domestic violence.{{Cite news |date=August 16, 2024 |title=Blake Lively reacts to backlash to 'tone deaf' publicity for new film It Ends With Us |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-interviews-b2597237.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225162454/https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-interviews-b2597237.html |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |newspaper=The Independent}} In her complaint and subsequent lawsuit allege, Lively would attribute this negative reception to an alleged smear campaign run by Baldoni's public relations (PR) counsel.{{Cite news |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Read the Complaint |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/21/us/complaint-of-blake-lively-v-wayfarer-studios-llc-et-al.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210165630/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/12/21/us/complaint-of-blake-lively-v-wayfarer-studios-llc-et-al.html |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times}}

File:Deadpool 2 Japan Premiere Red Carpet Ryan Reynolds (cropped).jpg, Lively's husband, as a co-defendant in his lawsuit against Lively.]]

Lively was one of the producers of the film. In an interview with People in April 2024, Baldoni said there "wasn't a part of this production that [Lively] didn’t touch and have influence on [...] Everything that she put her hands on and her mind to, she made better." Lively later confirmed this in an interview with Variety, saying "The work I did as a producer was far more all-consuming than anything I did playing Lily. I just did it all. There's nothing I didn't touch on this film." Lively also had stated on E! News that her husband, Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds, wrote a scene in the film that is a fan-favorite from the book, sparking fan speculation about whether there were disputes with Baldoni over creative control.

The allegations of conflict were further fueled when Lively walked the red carpet and posed for photographs alongside her co-stars, including Sklenar and Slate, at the film's New York premiere on August 6, 2024, while Baldoni walked with his wife and family and did not pose with the rest of the cast. Additionally, Baldoni did not introduce the film ahead of the screening; Lively and Hoover introduced the film instead, as opposed to the usual tradition of directors introducing the film. At the premiere, Baldoni told Entertainment Tonight that he does not want to direct the film's potential sequel based on Hoover’s follow-up novel, It Starts with Us (2022), and added "I think Blake Lively's ready to direct, that's what I think."

Fans and media outlets also noticed that Hoover and Lively, along with several other members of the cast, or not following or have unfollowed Baldoni on Instagram.{{Cite magazine |last=Koul |first=Scaachi |date=August 13, 2024 |title=The Drama Over It Ends With Us Has Almost Eclipsed the Film Itself |url=https://slate.com/culture/2024/08/it-ends-with-us-cast-drama-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130152518/https://slate.com/culture/2024/08/it-ends-with-us-cast-drama-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |magazine=Slate}} Canadian journalist Liz Plank, a friend of Baldoni and also his co-host of the podcast Man Enough, attended the premiere and posts about it to her Instagram but did not pose with Baldoni or mention him in any of her posts.

On August 8, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the film's post-production faced issues, and claimed that Lively, as a co-producer of the film, commissioned her own edit of the film from the American film editor Shane Reid, who edited the Marvel Studios film Deadpool & Wolverine, which was also slated for release that year, starring Reynolds.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Carly |date=2024-08-09 |title=Did Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Have a Rift Over ‘It Ends With Us’? Sleuthing TikTokers Think So |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-drama-what-we-know-1235969708/ |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} Australian-British actor Hugh Jackman, Reynold's co-star in Deadpool & Wolverine, had also attended the premiere, posing with Reynolds and Lively. Reynolds also used the event to promote Deadpool & Wolverine and appeared in a promotional video for It Ends with Us.

Videos about this alleged feud became viral on TikTok and amassed views. Some fans and social media users speculated that Reynolds and Lively may have seized creative control of the film from Baldoni. Some others posted unflattering comments about Lively's character, with videos of Lively being allegedly rude to a reporter who commented on Lively’s pregnancy and Lively's usage of the word "trannies" during her Gossip Girl days surfaced online.

On August 13, 2024, it was reported that Baldoni has hired crisis PR manager Melissa Nathan of The Agency Group (TAG).{{Cite web |last=Yee |first=Lawrence |last2=Levine |first2=Daniel |date=August 13, 2024 |title=Justin Baldon Hires Crisis PR Manager amid 'It Ends With Us Cast' Drama |url=https://people.com/justin-baldoni-hires-crisis-pr-manager-amid-it-ends-with-us-cast-drama-source-8693577 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=People |language=en}} Nathan has previously worked for clients including the American actor Johnny Depp during his legal disputes with the American actress Amber Heard, such as Depp v. Heard and Depp v News Group Newspapers Ltd. On August 14, the tabloid Page Six claimed that Baldoni made Lively uncomfortable with his questions about her weight during the film's production; Lively had recently given birth when she began working on It Ends with Us and was reportedly uneasy with her weight, especially after Baldoni asked her about it.

On August 20, Sklenar became the first cast member to directly address the feud allegations. He wrote on Instagram, "Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about…. What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film." Sklenar asked fans not to direct negativity toward his female colleagues, and tagged all the female cast members, including Lively, in the post, and did not tag Baldoni.{{Cite web |last=Logan |first=Elizabeth |date=2024-08-20 |title='It Ends With Us' Star Brandon Sklenar Is the First Cast Member to Directly Address Feud Rumors |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/it-ends-with-us-star-brandon-sklenar-is-the-first-cast-member-to-directly-address-feud-rumors |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Glamour |language=en-US}}

On December 20, 2024, Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging Baldoni created a hostile work environment through sexual harassment and boundary violations, such as improvising kissing scenes during filming.{{Cite news |title=Blake Lively files complaint against Justin Baldoni over alleged sexual misconduct on 'It Ends with Us' set |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-alleged-sexual-misconduct/story?id=117017592 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107154354/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-alleged-sexual-misconduct/story?id=117017592 |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |agency=ABC News}} The complaint also accused Baldoni of embarking on a "social manipulation" campaign to "destroy" Lively’s reputation, which she says harmed her business and caused "severe emotional distress." On December 21, the tabloid TMZ claimed that the complaint mentioned that a meeting was held during filming to address the "hostile work environment", which was also attended by Reynolds; Lively came to the meeting with a list of demands regarding Baldoni's alleged behavior, including "no more adding of sex scenes, oral sex, or on-camera climaxing by [Lively] outside the scope of the script [Lively] approved when signing onto the project." The same day, in a statement to TMZ, Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman alleged that Lively's complaint is an attempt at fixing her "negative reputation", describing her accusations as "false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt." On the issues during production, Freedman accused Lively of "threatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release."{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment; His Lawyer Slams 'Shameful' Lawsuit Full of 'False Accusations' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236257048/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221145908/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236257048/ |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Variety}}{{Cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Rep Admits PR Team "Sophomorically Reveled" Against Blake Lively, But Claims No Smear Campaign Despite Sexual Harassment Allegations |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-balboni-blake-lively-latest-1236240921/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223235712/https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-balboni-blake-lively-latest-1236240921/ |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |work=Deadline}}

File:New York Times Building - Bottom Portion (48193462432).jpg is considered an influential publication, responsible for spearheading civil rights discourses like the MeToo movement; Baldoni sued the newspaper for defamation.]]

Hours after the TMZ news, The New York Times published its own extensive review of the court documents, under the title " 'We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine". The paper reported that Baldoni hired a PR crisis management team to "bury" Lively after she confronted him about the alleged harassment. Documents obtained by Lively via court-issued subpoena allegedly showed a coordinated effort on Baldoni's behalf to discredit her across both traditional and social media. The paper quoted Lively's claims, "Baldoni had improvised unwanted kissing and discussed his sex life, including encounters in which he said he may not have received consent" and "repeatedly entered [Lively's] makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including when she was breastfeeding."{{Cite news |last=Twohey |first=Megan |last2=McIntire |first2=Mike |last3=Tate |first3=Julie |date=2024-12-21 |title=‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/business/media/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us.html |access-date=2025-06-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Nathan had also reportedly texted Baldoni "You know we can bury anyone."

Freedman claimed that Lively has planted "negative and completely fabricated and false stories with media" about Baldoni, which "was another reason why Wayfarer Studios made the decision to hire a crisis professional." In his statement to The New York Times, Freedman said that Wayfarer "did nothing proactive nor retaliated" against Lively. Prior to the recommencement of filming after the 2023 WGA strike, Wayfarer Studios had agreed to implement safeguards including providing a full-time intimacy coordinator and bringing in an outside producer.{{Cite news |last1=Twohey |first1=Megan |last2=McIntire |first2=Mike |last3=Tate |first3=Julie |date=December 21, 2024 |title='We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/business/media/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241222103843/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/business/media/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us.html |archive-date=December 22, 2024 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times}} The Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone magazine reported that Lively and Reynolds's demands to Wayfarer Studios included "not showing nude videos or images of women to Lively; no more mentions of Baldoni's alleged previous 'pornography addiction'; no more discussions about sexual experiences in front of Lively and others; no further mentions of cast and crew's genitalia; and no more inquiries about Lively's weight."{{Cite web |last=Piña |first=Christy |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star and Director Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-1236092214/ |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-1235214417/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126110120/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-1235214417/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} According to The New York Times, after Lively raised concerns, Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath hired crisis management experts who allegedly coordinated efforts to {{qi|destroy}} Lively's reputation through social media campaigns and strategic media placement.

In response to Lively's legal filing, Freedman maintained that the claims were {{qi|completely false}} and also suggested the text messages shared by Jones with The New York Times were {{qi|cherry-picked}} to make his clients look unfavorable.{{Cite news |last1=Twohey |first1=Megan |last2=McIntire |first2=Mike |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni's Ex-Publicist Sues Over Alleged Smear Campaign |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/justin-baldoni-publicist-blake-lively-lawsuit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123160638/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/justin-baldoni-publicist-blake-lively-lawsuit.html |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Hit With Defamation Suit As PR Teams Turn On Each Other Over Blake Lively's 'It Ends With Us' Smear Campaign Allegations |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-defamation-lawsuit-publicist-blake-lively-1236241784/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116074057/https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-defamation-lawsuit-publicist-blake-lively-1236241784/ |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |work=Deadline Hollywood}} According to Freedman, the text messages have been presented out of context by Jones and Lively in a way that alters their meaning; he also stated that he has {{qi|never seen this level of unethical behavior intentionally fueled through media manipulation.}}{{Cite news |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=December 27, 2024 |title=Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Legal Battle Heats Up With Countersuit Over 'It Ends With Us' Fallout |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-legal-complaint-counter-suit-1236243155/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119171528/https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-legal-complaint-counter-suit-1236243155/ |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=December 29, 2024 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}

• Immediately after The New York Times article, the American talent agency WME dropped Baldoni as a client.{{Cite web |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=Andreeva |first2=Nellie |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Dropped By WME Following Blake Lively's Sexual Harassment Complaint |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-dropped-wme-blake-lively-sexual-harassment-complaint-1236240243/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119014822/https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-dropped-wme-blake-lively-sexual-harassment-complaint-1236240243/ |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Deadline}}{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Bailey |date=December 21, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Dropped by His Talent Agency as Blake Lively Sues Him for Sexual Harassment |url=https://people.com/justin-baldoni-dropped-by-talent-agency-as-blake-lively-sues-him-for-sexual-harassment-8765535 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123160721/https://people.com/justin-baldoni-dropped-by-talent-agency-as-blake-lively-sues-him-for-sexual-harassment-8765535 |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |work=People}}
• Hoover, Slate and Skelnar spoke in support of Lively.{{Cite web |last1=Garner |first1=Glenn |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |date=December 22, 2024 |title=Colleen Hoover Supports Blake Lively Amid Justin Baldoni Lawsuit: "Never Wilt" |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/colleen-hoover-supports-blake-lively-amid-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236240430/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105053032/https://deadline.com/2024/12/colleen-hoover-supports-blake-lively-amid-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236240430/ |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} American actresses Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, and Alexis Bledel released a joint statement in support of Lively. Heard also supported Lively, saying "Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying 'A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.' I saw this firsthand and up close. It's as horrifying as it is destructive."{{Cite web |date=2024-12-24 |title=Amber Heard supports Blake Lively after Justin Baldoni hired Johnny Depp’s PR team |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/amber-heard-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-johnny-depp-b2669386.html |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=The Independent |language=en}}
• The American actors' labor union SAG-AFTRA expressed support for Lively, releasing a statement that read in part, {{qi|We applaud [her] courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content. This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set.}}{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2024 |title=SAG-AFTRA Supports Blake Lively After 'Startling and Troubling' Allegations Against Justin Baldoni |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sag-aftra-sexual-harrassment-allegations-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-1236258651/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121232731/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sag-aftra-sexual-harrassment-allegations-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-1236258651/ |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Variety}}
• On December 9, Minhaj had presented Baldoni with the 2024 Voices of Solidarity Award from the American non-profit organization Vital Voices, which "honors remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls worldwide." On December 23, Vital Voice rescinded the award, explaining that their decision was based on reported communications between Baldoni and his publicists, which were published by The New York Times.{{Cite web |title=Statement by Vital Voices on Decision to Rescind Voices of Solidarity Award |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/news-articles/announcement/statement-by-vital-voices-on-decision-to-rescind-voices-of-solidarity-award/#:~:text=The%20Voices%20of%20Solidarity%20Award,Justin%20Baldoni%20with%20this%20award. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119150550/https://www.vitalvoices.org/news-articles/announcement/statement-by-vital-voices-on-decision-to-rescind-voices-of-solidarity-award/#:~:text=The%20Voices%20of%20Solidarity%20Award,Justin%20Baldoni%20with%20this%20award. |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Vital Voices}}
• Plank, Baldoni's co-host on Man Enough, resigned from the podcast following Lively's allegations.{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni's Podcast Co-Host Resigns After Blake Lively's Allegations: 'I Will Continue to Support Everyone Who Calls Out Injustice' |url=https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/liz-plank-justin-baldoni-quit-podcast-blake-lively-1236258664/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123125042/https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/liz-plank-justin-baldoni-quit-podcast-blake-lively-1236258664/ |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Variety}}
• Sony Pictures released a statement in support of Lively, adding, {{qi|We strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.}}{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Sony Condemns "Any Reputational Attacks" On Blake Lively From Justin Baldoni's Alleged Smear Campaign Against 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-sony-smear-campaign-1236241495/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201003315/https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-sony-smear-campaign-1236241495/ |archive-date=February 1, 2025 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
• On December 24, Stephanie Jones, Baldoni's former publicist, filed a lawsuit in New York City alleging breach of contract and defamation against Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and her former employees.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Meredith |date=December 26, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively and the PR Fallout Over 'It Ends With Us' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-12-26/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-stephanie-jones-jennifer-abel-melissa-nathan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114225302/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-12-26/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-stephanie-jones-jennifer-abel-melissa-nathan |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=December 29, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times}} Jones claimed she was forced to stop representing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios due to concerns about Lively revealing misconduct accusations. The lawsuit alleges that Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, former employees of Jones' public relations firm, conspired for months to undermine Jones and her public relations firm, Jonesworks, by poaching clients and prospects while blaming her for their smear campaign. It cites text messages and emails retrieved from Abel's company-issued phone, obtained after her firing, which coincided with the firm's separation from Baldoni and Wayfarer.

On February 9, 2025, Lively filed a 163-page, amended complaint in New York, updating her initial complaint with "significant additional evidence and corroboration of her original claims,” as well as “a new claim for defamation." Lively's lawyers alleged that it "provides significant additional evidence and corroboration of her original claims" and "includes previously undisclosed communications" involving Lively, Sony, Wayfarer Studios and "numerous other witnesses." A spokesperson for Lively said that the new filing "details the corroboration that backs up Blake’s original sexual harassment and retaliation concerns" and that "other women confided in Blake about their discomfort and fear of coming forward, and their concern about the current public vitriol."

Freedman responded in a statement obtained by People, calling the amended complaint "underwhelming" and alleging that it was "filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims."

Baldoni and Lively sued each other at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, on various grounds. Baldoni also sued The New York Times, separately, and additionally named Reynolds as a co-defendant in his case against Lively. Baldoni's defamation lawsuits against Lively, Reynolds and The New York Times were dismissed in June 2025.{{Cite web |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary Whitfill |title=Latest In Justin Baldoni-Blake Lively Feud: Lively Shares 'Gratitude' After Baldoni's Lawsuit Is Dismissed |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/06/10/baldoni-vs-lively-feud-lively-shares-gratitude-on-instagram-after-baldonis-lawsuit-is-dismissed/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Lively's case against Baldoni and his PR counsel will be heard on March 9, 2026.{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends with Us' legal battle: A timeline |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-legal-battle-timeline/story?id=117430951 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=ABC News |language=en}}

On January 20, 2025, Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit for $250 million against The New York Times accusing it of pushing an {{qi|unverified and self-serving narrative}} using {{qi|cherry-picked and altered communications stripped of necessary context,}} and allegedly ignoring evidence disputing Lively's claims.{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Winston |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni Files Libel Lawsuit Against New York Times Over Blake Lively Story |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-story-1236097268/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120153801/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-story-1236097268/ |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Baldoni's lawyer stated, {{qi|In this vicious smear campaign fully orchestrated by Lively and her team, the New York Times cowered to the wants and whims of two powerful 'untouchable' Hollywood elites, disregarding journalistic practices and ethics once befitting of the revered publication by using doctored and manipulated texts and intentionally omitting texts which dispute their chosen PR narrative.}}

Baldoni's lawsuit states, {{qi|Lively's cynical abuse of sexual harassment allegations to assert unilateral control over every aspect of the production was both strategic and manipulative... Simultaneously, her public image suffered as a result of a series of high-profile blunders, which she tried to deflect by blaming Plaintiffs for the public's prying interest into the foibles of an A-list celebrity. This is nothing but an excuse. Fame is a double-edged sword, but Lively's tactics here are unconscionable.}}{{Cite news |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni sues New York Times for $250 million over Blake Lively story |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/31/entertainment/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-lawsuit/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119171528/https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/31/entertainment/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-lawsuit/index.html |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |work=CNN Entertainment}}

The New York Times defended its actions, stating {{qi|The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead. Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article.}}{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |date=December 31, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Files $250 Million Lawsuit Against New York Times Over Blake Lively Story: It Relied on Her 'Self-Serving Narrative' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-allegations-story-1236263099/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123130057/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-allegations-story-1236263099/ |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=Variety}}

Following Baldoni's lawsuit against The New York Times, Lively filed a federal lawsuit against Baldoni on December 31, 2024, addressing the same issues she had raised in her complaint to the California Civil Rights Department.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Tracy |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Blake Lively files official federal lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, looks forward to day in court |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/blake-lively-files-official-federal-lawsuit-against-justin-baldoni-looks-forward-day-court |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126002135/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/blake-lively-files-official-federal-lawsuit-against-justin-baldoni-looks-forward-day-court |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=Fox News}} Journalist Matt Schimkowitz argues, {{qi|ironically, Baldoni's lawsuit all but challenged Lively to do this, arguing that her filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department last week was to avoid scrutiny of a lawsuit. Unfortunately for Baldoni, this latest filing makes much of Baldoni's defenses murkier.}}{{Cite web |title=Blake Lively ends 2024 by officially suing Justin Baldoni |url=https://www.avclub.com/blake-lively-lawsuit-justin-baldoni |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126035115/https://www.avclub.com/blake-lively-lawsuit-justin-baldoni |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 2, 2025 |website=AV Club}}{{how|date=February 2025}}

Lively's representatives directly addressed this being a response to Baldoni's lawsuit, saying, {{qi|This lawsuit is based on the obviously false premise that Ms. Lively's administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a ruse based on a choice 'not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer,' and that 'litigation was never her ultimate goal.' As demonstrated by the federal complaint filed by Ms. Lively earlier today, that frame of reference for the Wayfarer lawsuit is false. While we will not litigate this matter in the press, we do encourage people to read Ms. Lively's complaint in its entirety. We look forward to addressing each and every one of Wayfarer's allegations in court.}}

Lively's lawsuit alleges that Baldoni and his public relations team orchestrated a sophisticated, multi-tiered campaign to damage her reputation in retaliation for speaking out about sexual misconduct on the film's set. The complaint names Baldoni, his film studio, Wayfarer, and public relations representatives Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel. Lively's legal team claimed that Wayfarer and its associates violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her after she reported sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns. The statement also accused Baldoni of initiating unwelcome physical advances, asserting that when Lively or others avoided his touch, both Baldoni and Heath retaliated by becoming irritated, cold, and uncooperative. Lively claimed she was forced to work in an {{qi|unwelcoming and volatile environment}}.{{Cite web |date=January 2025 |title=Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star and Director Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236097463/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124125437/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236097463/ |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |access-date=January 1, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

On January 23, 2025, Lively's legal team filed an unsuccessful request for a gag order against Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, accusing him of continuing to engage in a smear campaign against Lively by repeatedly revealing information to the press.{{Cite magazine |last1=Cho |first1=Winston |last2=McCLintock |first2=Pamela |date=January 23, 2025 |title=Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Seek Gag Order Against Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Bryan Freedman |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126073540/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}

In reaction to Lively's lawsuit, Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, told NBC on January 3, 2025, that Baldoni intended to countersue Lively.{{sfn|Clayton|2025}}Stump, Scott (January 4, 2025)[https://www.today.com/news/justin-baldoni-attorney-blake-lively-lawsuit-rcna186003 EXCLUSIVE: Justin Baldoni's lawyer says they 'absolutely' plan to sue Blake Lively and release 'every single' text] Today Show. Retrieved on January 4, 2025 On January 16, 2025, Baldoni's attorney filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloan for civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. The 179-page complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that Lively attempted to hijack control of the film with demands and threats, and despite getting most of what she wanted, decided to accuse Baldoni of a smear campaign, {{qi|to deflect attention and blame for Lively's disastrous misjudgments... Lively would recast herself as the long-suffering martyr by portraying Baldoni and Wayfarer as her persecutors,}} according to the complaint.{{sfn|Wagmeister|2025b}} Baldoni argued that Lively, along with Reynolds and Sloan, engaged in a coordinated effort to damage his reputation, derail his career, and obscure the film's original purpose of highlighting domestic violence awareness.{{cite court|date=January 16, 2025|url=https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/01/justin-baldoni-sues-blake-lively.pdf|litigants=Justin Baldoni et al. v. Blake Lively et al. Complaint|access-date=January 18, 2025|court=United States District Court for the Southern District of New York|archive-date=January 18, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118180941/https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/01/justin-baldoni-sues-blake-lively.pdf|url-status=live}} He also claimed that the smear campaign alleged by Lively did not exist.{{sfn|Wagmeister|2025b}} On January 31, Baldoni filed a 168-page timeline of events, including text messages, to support the assertion that Lively had conducted a smear campaign against him.{{Cite web |title=Justin Baldoni and the Death of Man-Bun Feminism |url=https://www.thefp.com/p/justin-baldoni-man-bun-feminism |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=thefp.com |publisher=The Free Press}}{{Cite web |title=Case 1:24-cv-10049-LJL, Document 50-1, Filed 01/31/25, EXHIBIT A – The following timeline... |url=https://thelawsuitinfo.com/downloads/timeline-of-relevant-events.pdf |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=thelawsuitinfo.com |publisher=U.S. District Court for the Southern District New York}}

On January 22, 2025, after Baldoni's team released footage from the set that they assert contradicts a major claim in Lively's lawsuit,{{clarify|What does the footage depict? What does it contradict?|date=March 2025}}{{Cite web |last1=McClintock |first1=Pamela |last2=Thomas |first2=Carly |date=January 22, 2025 |title='It Ends With Us' Legal Feud Takes New Turn as Both Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Say Leaked Footage Proves Their Point |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-legal-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-leaked-set-footage-1236114412/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205075738/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-legal-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-leaked-set-footage-1236114412/ |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Lively requested a gag order against Justin Baldoni and his representation. Lively claimed that Baldoni's lawyer had leaked information regarding her, describing it as a {{qi|continuation of the initial retaliation harassment}} she wrote about in her first complaint.{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Bethy |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Request Gag Order Against Justin Baldoni's Lawyer |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/it-ends-with-us-gag-order-footage-leak.html |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=Vulture}}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Olivia |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Request Gag Order for Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Over "Improper Conduct" |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1412459/blake-lively-and-ryan-reynolds-request-gag-order-for-justin-baldonis-lawyer-over-improper-conduct |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204142131/https://www.eonline.com/news/1412459/blake-lively-and-ryan-reynolds-request-gag-order-for-justin-baldonis-lawyer-over-improper-conduct |archive-date=February 4, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=E! Online}} Sources for Baldoni said, it would be {{qi|grossly unfair to impose a gag order after Justin has been defamed by The New York Times in an article that they say has cost him three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars.}}{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Winston Cho,Pamela |date=January 23, 2025 |title=Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Seek Gag Order Against Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Bryan Freedman |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126073540/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} The judge denied the gag order request.{{Cite web |last1=Reiss |first1=Adam |last2=Melas |first2=Chloe |last3=Arkin |first3=Daniel |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Judge in 'It Ends With Us' case warns Lively's and Baldoni's lawyers about public comments |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-court-hearing-rcna190529 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205225536/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-court-hearing-rcna190529 |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=NBC News}}{{Cite web |last=Knapp |first=J. D. |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively Both Pleased After 'It Ends With Us' Hearing Ends Without Gag Orders |url=https://www.thewrap.com/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-hearing-no-gag-order/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=TheWrap}} Justin Baldoni launched a website called The Lawsuit Info in February 2025, which presents his complaint and a timeline of the events.{{Cite web |last=Moorman |first=Taijuan |title=Justin Baldoni launches website, more alleged texts with Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/02/02/justin-baldoni-website-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds/78155842007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206171131/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2025/02/02/justin-baldoni-website-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds/78155842007/ |archive-date=February 6, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=USA TODAY}}

File:191125 Taylor Swift at the 2019 American Music Awards.png, Lively's friend, in his lawsuit and attempted to subpoena her as a witness.]]

Baldoni's lawsuit also claimed that Lively had utilized Reynolds and Swift to pressure Baldoni into accepting one of her rewrites for the film. The complaint alleged that Baldoni texted Lively after feeling pressured stating her changes made the scene {{qi|more fun and interesting}}, and that he {{qi|would have felt that way without Ryan and Taylor}}. Lively responded to his text by referring to Reynolds and Swift as her {{qi|dragons}} and {{qi|most trusted partners}} who have been {{qi|by my side for far too many experiences where I've been overlooked}}, according to the complaint.{{Cite magazine |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=January 16, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni Claims Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift Pressured Him to Accept Blake Lively's It Ends With Us Rewrite: Complaint |url=https://people.com/justin-baldoni-claims-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-taylor-swift-pressured-him-8775745 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427032150/https://people.com/justin-baldoni-claims-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-taylor-swift-pressured-him-8775745 |archive-date=April 27, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |magazine=People}}{{Cite magazine |last=Chiu |first=Melody |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift's Rep Slams Singer's Subpoena in Justin Baldoni-Blake Lively Legal Case with Fiery Statement |url=https://people.com/taylor-swift-rep-slams-subpoena-justin-baldoni-blake-lively-legal-case-11732502 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510004031/https://people.com/taylor-swift-rep-slams-subpoena-justin-baldoni-blake-lively-legal-case-11732502 |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |magazine=People}} On May 9, 2025, Swift was subpoenaed by Baldoni's attorney as a witness in the case. A spokesperson for Swift denied that she had any involvement with the film beyond licensing her song "My Tears Ricochet" to be used, as did 19 other artists. The spokesperson added: {{qi|This document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift's name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.}}{{Cite web |last1=Wagmiester |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Heching |first2=Dan |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift Subpoenaed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Case |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/entertainment/taylor-swift-subpoenaed-lively-baldoni-case |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510001034/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/09/entertainment/taylor-swift-subpoenaed-lively-baldoni-case |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |publisher=CNN |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bernabe |first=Angeline Jane |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift Spokesperson Responds to Subpoena in Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Legal Feud |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/taylor-swift-spokesperson-responds-subpoena-blake-lively-justin-121657970 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510092158/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/taylor-swift-spokesperson-responds-subpoena-blake-lively-justin-121657970 |archive-date=May 10, 2025 |access-date=May 11, 2025 |website=Good Morning America |language=en-US}}

On May 14, 2025, Baldoni's attorney wrote a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman claiming that a {{qi|source who is highly likely to have reliable information}} informed him that Lively's attorney threatened Swift's attorney to disclose {{qi|private text messages of a personal nature}} if Swift fails to {{qi|release a statement of support}} for Lively. The letter also alleged that Lively asked Swift to delete their text messages from the past {{qi|four or five months}}.{{Cite magazine |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Blake Lively Threatened to Leak Taylor Swift Texts If Singer Didn't Publicly Support Her, Claim Justin Baldoni's Lawyers |url=https://people.com/blake-lively-threatened-taylor-swift-support-justin-baldoni-claims-11733062 |access-date=May 16, 2025 |magazine=People |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515045957/https://people.com/blake-lively-threatened-taylor-swift-support-justin-baldoni-claims-11733062 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last1=VanHoose |first1=Benjamin |last2=Rosner |first2=Elizabeth |date=May 15, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Doubles Down, Claims Blake Lively Pressured Taylor Swift for Public Support After Super Bowl Absence |url=https://people.com/justin-baldoni-double-down-claim-blake-lively-pressured-taylor-swift-support-11735632 |access-date=May 16, 2025 |magazine=People}} Lively's attorney denied the allegations as {{qi|unequivocally and demonstrably false}} and asked Liman to strike the letter.{{Cite magazine |last=Drury |first=Sharareh |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Blake Lively's Lawyers Accuse Justin Baldoni's Team of 'Abusing' Legal Process In Response to Alleged Taylor Swift Threat |url=https://people.com/blake-lively-legal-team-accuses-justin-baldoni-team-of-misconduct-11735054 |access-date=May 16, 2025 |magazine=People |archive-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515031254/https://people.com/blake-lively-legal-team-accuses-justin-baldoni-team-of-misconduct-11735054 |url-status=live }} The following day, Baldoni's attorney filed a sworn affidavit to attest to his claims. Both filings were striken by Liman, who wrote in his order, {{qi|the sole purpose of the letter is to 'promote public scandal' by advancing inflammatory accusations, on information and belief, against Lively and her counsel}}. Liman also warned Baldoni's team that they will receive sanctions if the court is misused any further.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=May 15, 2025 |title=More Than A Simple Favor: Judge Grants Blake Lively's Request To Have 'Improper' Taylor Swift Bullying Claims Tossed Out |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/blake-lively-taylor-swift-bullying-claims-dismissed-by-judge-1236399580/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood }} Baldoni subsequently withdrew his request to subpoena Swift.{{Cite web |last=Gularte |first=Alejandra |date=May 22, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift No Longer Subpoenaed in Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Lawsuit |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/taylor-swift-subpoena-dropped-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html |access-date=May 23, 2025 |website=Vulture |language=en}}

{{See also|Taylor Swift masters dispute}}

On June 11, 2025, People reported that Lively is set to petition the court to subpoena the American media proprietor Scooter Braun and his entertainment company Hybe America. According to Deadline, the notice of the subpoena request was sent to Hybe on June 10. Lively's subpoena seeks to recover documents and information that Hybe America has on Melissa Nathan, Baldoni's crisis PR agent since August 2024 and co-defendant in Lively's suit against Baldoni.{{Cite web |title=Blake Lively to Subpoena Scooter Braun in Latest Legal Move After Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit Dismissal |url=https://people.com/blake-lively-to-subpoena-scooter-braun-justin-baldoni-legal-battle-11752419 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=People.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=2025-06-11 |title=Blake’s Version: Scooter Braun’s HYBE America Subpoenaed By Taylor Swift’s Pal In Justin Baldoni Battle |url=https://deadline.com/2025/06/lively-baldoni-scooter-braun-subpoenaed-1236429591/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} Hybe has an investment stake in TAG, the publicity firm founded by Nathan.{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=2025-06-12 |title=Blake Lively Subpoenas Scooter Braun Amid Ongoing Legal Battle With Justin Baldoni |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/blake-lively-subpoenas-scooter-braun-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236263224/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} Following this news, publications associated Lively's subpoena of Braun with Swift's masters dispute with Braun and Baldoni's attempt to subpoena Swift in his lawsuit.{{Cite web |last=Scharf |first=Rachel |date=2025-06-11 |title=Blake Lively Subpoenas Scooter Braun in Legal Fight With Justin Baldoni |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/blake-lively-subpoenas-scooter-braun-justin-baldoni-lawsuit/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hudgins |first=Ryan |date=2025-06-11 |title=Blake Lively Subpoenas Scooter Braun in Justin Baldoni Legal Battle |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/blake-lively-subpoenas-scooter-braun-in-justin-baldoni-legal-battle/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US}}

On February 20, 2025, Blake Lively's public relations representative, Leslie Sloane, filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's lawsuit, arguing that her alleged defamatory statements that the {{qi|whole cast doesn't like Justin,}} {{qi|the whole cast hates him}} and {{qi|Blake was sexually assaulted}} were either opinions that couldn't be subject to a defamation claim or were substantially true.{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Winston |date=February 20, 2025 |title=Blake Lively's PR Rep Moves to Dismiss Justin Baldoni Lawsuit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-pr-rep-moves-to-dismiss-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236142111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221135721/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-pr-rep-moves-to-dismiss-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-1236142111/ |archive-date=February 21, 2025 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} According to Sloane's attorneys, {{qi|The Wayfarer Parties dragged Leslie Sloane and Vision PR, Inc. into the instant litigation as a smoke and mirrors exercise to distract from their own sexual harassment and systematic retaliation}}.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=February 20, 2025 |title=Slamming Justin Baldoni's "Smoke & Mirrors Exercise," Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds' PR Chief Wants Out Of 'It Ends With Us' Legal Battle |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/lively-baldoni-latest-pr-exec-wants-out-1236296269/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} On March 6, Baldoni asked the judge to deny Sloane's motion, arguing that {{qi|In a desperate effort to salvage Lively's reputation and to escape her wrath, the Sloane Parties conspired with Lively and Consolidated Defendants Ryan Reynolds ("Reynolds") and The New York Times Company ("New York Times") to make scapegoats of the Wayfarer Parties for Lively's woes}}.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 8, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni Says Blake Lively's Publicist Leslie Sloane Made Him Scapegoat For Client's "Woes" And Shouldn't Be Permitted To Exit Case |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/justin-baldoni-scapegoat-blake-lively-publicist-1236314078/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308144933/https://deadline.com/2025/03/justin-baldoni-scapegoat-blake-lively-publicist-1236314078/ |archive-date=March 8, 2025 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

On February 28, the New York Times filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's claim against it, arguing that {{qi|the only thing the Times is, in fact, alleged to have done is engage in newsgathering and publishing an Article and Video about the Wayfarer/Lively dispute}}.{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Winston |date=February 28, 2025 |title=The New York Times Moves to Dismiss Justin Baldoni's Defamation Lawsuit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/new-york-times-justin-baldoni-defamation-lawsuit-1236151000/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} On March 4, the judge granted the NYT's request for stay of discovery pending a decision on its motion to dismiss, saying that the newspaper had offered {{qi|substantial grounds for dismissal}} and {{qi|a strong showing that its motion to dismiss is likely to succeed on the merits}} and that {{qi|The Wayfarer Parties are unlikely to be unfairly prejudiced by a stay while the Court decides the pending motion}}.{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Judge signals he may dismiss NY Times from $400 million Baldoni-Lively defamation case |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/judge-signals-he-may-dismiss-ny-times-400-million-baldoni-lively-defamation-case-2025-03-04/ |website=reuters.com}}{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 4, 2025 |title=Stop The Discovery! New York Times Granted Win In Blake Lively Vs. Justin Baldoni Clash As Dismissal Pondered By Judge |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-new-york-times-baldoni-1236311017/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} On March 14, Baldoni opposed the motion, arguing that {{qi|The NYT went past merely reporting on Plaintiff Blake Lively's ("Lively") California Civil Rights Department Complaint ("CRD Complaint") and actively vouched for the veracity of its false narrative.}}{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni Insists "Pietistic" New York Times Stay In Blake Lively Clash; Gray Lady Wants Dismissal |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-latest-new-york-times-1236328752/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

On March 18, Ryan Reynolds filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's claim against him, arguing that {{qi|The entirety of Plaintiffs' defamation claim appears to be based on two times that Mr. Reynolds allegedly called Mr. Baldoni a 'predator'}},{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Ryan Reynolds Slams Justin Baldoni's $400M "Gossip Rag" Suit As 'Deadpool' Star Moves For Dismissal |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-2-1236330042/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320215613/https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-2-1236330042/ |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} which couldn't be subject to a defamation claim because, according to Reynolds lawyers, {{qi|allegations suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr. Baldoni's behavior is reflective of a 'predator,'}} and {{qi|[T]he law establishes that calling someone a 'predator' amounts to constitutionally protected opinion… While Mr. Baldoni 'may not appreciate being called' a predator, those hurt feelings do not give rise to legal claims.}}{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Ryan Reynolds Says Justin Baldoni Can't Sue Him Over 'Hurt Feelings' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/ryan-reynolds-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-hurt-feelings-1236340790/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} According to the lawyers, Baldoni's lawsuit {{qi|is long on hyperbole, prose, and "claims," but devoid of any facts necessary to state ones recognized by law.}}{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Ryan Reynolds Slams Justin Baldoni's $400M "Gossip Rag" Suit As 'Deadpool' Star Moves For Dismissal |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-2-1236330042/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320215613/https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-2-1236330042/ |url-status=live }}

On March 20, Lively filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's claim against her, invoking a 2023 California law prohibiting weaponizing defamation lawsuits against {{qi|communication[s] made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination}}. According to the actress's lawyers, {{qi|Wayfarer Parties' vengeful and rambling lawsuit against Blake Lively is a profound abuse of the legal process that has no place in federal court.}}{{Cite news |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=March 20, 2025 |title=Blake Lively Joins Ryan Reynolds, NYT In Wanting Justin Baldoni's $400M Suit Kicked To The Curb, With A California Twist |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-ryan-reynolds-latest-dismissal-1236345498/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |work=Deadline |language=en-US}}

On June 9, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni's defamation and extortion suit against Lively and Reynolds, finding Lively's accusations of sexual harassment "legally protected", immune from a lawsuit. Liman also stated that Leslie Sloane, Lively's publicist, did not defame Baldoni in her dealings with Daily Mail, finding that Sloane likewise relied on Lively's account. Liman allowed Baldoni to "amend and refile a couple of allegations regarding interference with contracts."{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=June 9, 2025 |title=Judge Throws Out Justin Baldoni's $400 Million Defamation Suit Against Blake Lively |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/judge-dismisses-justin-baldoni-blake-lively-defamation-suit-1236423621/ |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://thelawsuitinfo.com|Justin Baldoni's lawsuit website}}
• {{Cite web |last=Clayton |first=Abené |date=January 4, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni plans to sue Blake Lively after she accused him of harassment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/03/justin-baldoni-lawsuit-against-blake-lively |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=The Guardian}}
• {{Cite news |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=January 16, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni sues Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400 million, alleging Hollywood power couple sought to 'destroy' him |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/16/entertainment/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-lawsuit/index.html |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=CNN Entertainment |ref={{sfnref|Wagmeister|2025b}}}}
• {{Cite news |last=Wagmiester |first=Elizabeth |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Taylor Swift subpoenaed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni case |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/entertainment/taylor-swift-subpoenaed-lively-baldoni-case |access-date=May 9, 2025 |work=CNN Entertainment |language=en-US}}

{{Taylor Swift}}

Category:2024 controversies in the United States

Category:2024 scandals

Category:2025 controversies in the United States

Category:Film controversies in the United States