Justin Baldoni

Baldoni was born in Los Angeles, California, and was raised in Medford, Oregon, to parents Sharon (née Solomon) and Sam Baldoni.[http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/justin-baldoni/bio/195449 Justin Baldoni] TV Guide.{{sfn|Spevack|2006}} His mother is Jewish, born to Ashkenazi Jewish parents Blanche Katz and Daniel Solomon from Cleveland, Ohio, with roots in Central and Eastern Europe.{{sfn|JP Staff|2024}}{{sfn|Spevack|2006}} Baldoni is therefore considered Jewish according to Halakha (Jewish law), as Orthodox Judaism practices matrilineal descent.Gillott, Hannah (15 August 2024) [https://www.thejc.com/news/showbiz/how-jewish-is-justin-baldoni-rhza1sot How Jewish is Justin Baldoni?] The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved on 31 December 2024 His maternal grandfather served in the Second World War and Baldoni lost relatives in the Holocaust. His father, Sam is from an Italian Catholic background. His paternal grandfather is Louis Baldoni, a former Indiana state senator and Italian immigrant.{{cite instagram|user=justinbaldoni|postid=BQZLAicguyE|title=This is my grandpa Louis – he would be 113 today. In 1908 his dad ( my great grandfather) left his family in Pitigliano Italy, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean in search of the American dream.|date=February 11, 2017}} Baldoni was raised celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah in honour of his Jewish and Catholic grandparents.Karpen, Elizabeth (11 September 2024). [https://jewishunpacked.com/is-justin-baldoni-jewish-unpacking-the-it-ends-with-us-stars-heritage-and-connection-to-israel/ Is Justin Baldoni Jewish? Unpacking the ‘It Ends With Us’ star’s heritage and connection to Israel] Jewish Unpacked. Retrieved on 31 December 2024 However, he was raised Baháʼí, practicing the Baháʼí Faith, the faith which both his parents had converted to before he was born. Baldoni has visited Israel several times on Baháʼí pilgrimages.

Baldoni played soccer and ran track in high school, and was a radio disc jockey at a local top 40 radio station. While moving into a new apartment building, Baldoni met a manager who advised him to pursue a career in acting.{{Cite web |url=http://www.everwoodonline.com/cast/justinbaldoni.php |title=Justin Baldoni as Reid Bardem |access-date=July 8, 2008 |publisher=FanBolt Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618092011/https://www.everwoodonline.com/cast/justinbaldoni.php|archive-date=18 June 2019}} He attended college at California State University, Long Beach on a partial athletic scholarship, but later dropped out.{{Cite book |last=Baldoni |first=Justin |title=Man Enough: Undefining my Masculinity |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2021 |isbn=9780063055599 |location=New York, United States |pages=63 |language=English}} In December 2024, Baldoni alleged he had "experienced sexual trauma" in a previous relationship when he was attending university. He said that he "wrestled with that trauma for the rest of my life, because in my head a man can't experience sexual trauma at the hands of a woman."Vanhoose, Benjamin (4 December 2024) [https://people.com/justin-baldoni-sexually-traumatized-by-ex-girlfriend-hoping-save-for-marriage-8756334 Justin Baldoni Reveals He Was Sexually Traumatized by an Ex-Girlfriend When He Was 'Hoping to Save Myself for Marriage'] People. Retrieved on 31 December 2024

Baldoni made his acting debut in the soap opera The Young and the Restless in 2004. In 2008, Baldoni wrote, produced, and directed his first music video that was selected and won him his first "Audience Choice Award" at Dawn Breakers International Film Festival.{{cite web |url=http://dbiff.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=2 |title=DBIFF '08/Take II: Phoenix, Arizona |access-date=October 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116030629/http://www.dbiff.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=2 |archive-date=November 16, 2010 }} In 2012, Baldoni created a digital documentary series, My Last Days, a show about living—as told by the dying.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-21 |title=Three-Part Documentary Event 'My Last Days' returns May 25th! |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/the-inspirational-docu-series-my-last-days-returns-friday-may-25/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=CBS Pittsburgh |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gavilanes |first=Grace |date=2016-08-16 |title=Justin Baldoni Talks My Last Days Docu-Series, Interview |url=https://people.com/celebrity/justin-baldoni-talks-my-last-days-docu-series-interview/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=People |language=en-US}} The show eventually became one of the most-watched YouTube documentary series streamed online.{{Cite web |title=CW Press {{!}} The CW {{!}} My Last Days {{!}} About |url=https://www.cwtvpr.com/the-cw/shows/my-last-days/about |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=www.cwtvpr.com}} The second season of My Last Days aired on CW and third season was released in the winter of 2018. On the heels of that success Baldoni founded Wayfarer Entertainment, a digital media studio focused on disruptive inspiration.{{sfn|Wagmeister|2016}} In December 2018, Baldoni spoke at the annual End Well Symposium about why he believes that thinking about our death can help us live better.{{Cite news |url=https://qz.com/work/1486913/how-justin-baldoni-got-his-life-back-on-track/|title=The question actor Justin Baldoni asked himself to put his career and life back on track|last=Purtill |first=Corinne |date=December 7, 2018 |work=Quartz |access-date=June 6, 2020 |language=en-US}}

From 2014 to 2019, Baldoni played Rafael Solano in the CW satirical telenovela Jane the Virgin starring opposite Gina Rodriguez.{{Cite web |last=Banks |first=Emma |date=2024-08-01 |title=Before 'It Ends With Us," Justin Baldoni Starred in Jane the Virgin and Had a Viral Proposal Video |url=https://www.instyle.com/justin-baldoni-movies-and-tv-shows-8687286 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=InStyle |language=en-US}} In May 2016 he launched a time-lapse video app for pregnant women and new moms called Belly Bump.{{Cite news|url=https://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-news/meet-the-three-celeb-guys-yes-guys-behind-a-new-pregnancy-app|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519115102/http://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-news/meet-the-three-celeb-guys-yes-guys-behind-a-new-pregnancy-app|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 19, 2016|title=Meet the Three Celeb Guys (Yes, Guys) Behind a New Pregnancy App|date=May 17, 2016|work=Fit Pregnancy and Baby|access-date=October 7, 2017}} In 2018 he played a young Barry Minkow in the crime drama Con Man, directed by Bruce Caulk.

Baldoni directed and produced CBS Films' Five Feet Apart, starring Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson, and based on an original script by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis. The film was released on March 15, 2019, and chronicles the lives of two teenagers living with cystic fibrosis.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/cbs-films-here-now-ya-movie-pitch-mikki-daughtry-tobias-iaconis-1201893672/|title=CBS Films Buys Untitled Justin Baldoni Pitch In Vein Of 'The Fault In Our Stars'|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=January 26, 2017|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=January 21, 2020}} The film was a financial success but received mixed reviews.{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/five_feet_apart|title= Five Feet Apart|website= Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate= December 21, 2024}}{{cite web|url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3825501697/|title= Boxofficemojo|accessdate= December 21, 2024}} The following year he directed and produced Clouds, a film depicting the life of musician Zach Sobiech with Warner Bros.{{Cite web |title=Disney+ To Premiere Inspirational Drama 'Clouds' |url=https://press.disneyplus.com/news/disney-plus-to-premiere-inspirational-drama-clouds |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Disney Plus Press |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2020-05-14 |title=Disney+ Picks Up Justin Baldoni's Teen Drama 'Clouds' From Warner Bros. |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/disney-picks-up-justin-baldonis-teen-drama-clouds-warner-bros-1294618/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} On May 14, 2020, it was announced Disney+ had acquired distribution rights to the film from Warner Bros., in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the film industry. It was released on October 16, 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/warner-bros-fly-a-little-higher-movie-1201694182/|title=Warner Bros. Developing Zach Sobiech 'Fly a Little Higher' Movie|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=February 2, 2016|work=Variety|access-date=October 6, 2017|language=en-US}}

In 2024 Baldoni directed, produced, and starred in the romantic drama It Ends with Us, based on Colleen Hoover's novel of the same name.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-movie-jane-the-virgin-1203268293/|title=Justin Baldoni Developing 'It Ends With Us' Romance Movie|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=July 16, 2019|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=January 21, 2020}} In the film, in which he acted opposite Blake Lively, Baldoni portrays a neurosurgeon who is a domestic abuser. The film became a box office hit, earning over $350 million, but it received mixed reviews from critics.{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/it_ends_with_us|title= It Ends With Us|website= Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate= December 21, 2024}}{{cite web|url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3818881793/|title= It Ends with Us|website= BoxOfficeMojo|accessdate= December 21, 2024}} Eventually Baldoni and Lively had a combative working relationship on the set, with Lively accusing him of sexually harassing her and creating a toxic workplace environment.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=sFOZ8OHZIkqAabyz&v=xd-uTTO6YwU&feature=youtu.be |title=Megyn Kelly EXPOSES Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni in $650M Lawsuit! |date=2025-02-18 |last=Celebrity What If |access-date=2025-02-20 |via=YouTube}} Pulitzer Prize award-winning journalists Megan Twohey and Mike McIntire from The New York Times investigated the allegations and reported that Baldoni had hired a PR crisis firm in order to "bury her" through a coordinated smear campaign against her across social media platforms such as TikTok, Reddit, and X.{{cite web |last1=Twohey |first1=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 |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=2024-12-22 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=The New York Times}} Baldoni responded with a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the newspaper, saying that the article's authors had pulled quotes so far out of context as to be the opposite of the truth. Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, released what he said were the full, unedited version of emails, texts and other information in order to demonstrate Baldoni's accusation against the Times.{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-lawsuit-footage-b2684365.html | title=Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: Timeline of the feud between It Ends with Us co-stars | website=Independent.co.uk }}

File:2017 VOICE AWARDS (24072956348).jpg award ceremony]]

In July 2017, Variety announced that Baldoni was developing a talk show through his media company Wayfarer Entertainment. The show, entitled Man Enough, is described as a disruptive panel series that explores what it means to be a man today.{{sfn|Wagmeister|2017}} Eight 25-minute episodes were to be distributed on the internet.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/justin-baldoni-man-talk-show-details-1049772/ |work=Hollywood Reporter |title=Justin Baldoni's 'Man Enough' Talk Show Sets Talent, Premiere Date |first=Kate |last=Stanhope |date=October 18, 2017 }} In 2021, Baldoni released a book under the same premise.{{Cite web |title=Man Enough – Justin Baldoni |url=https://harperone.com/9780063055599/man-enough |access-date=2022-05-16 |website=HarperOne |language=en-US |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119220350/https://harperone.com/9780063055599/man-enough/ |url-status=dead }}

He began a podcast series under the same name with co-hosts Liz Plank and Jamey Heath. A children's version of the book Boys Will Be Human was released in October 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/video/justin-baldoni-on-deeply-personal-new-book-boys-will-be-human-150047301554|title=Actor Justin Baldoni talks modern masculinity, life lessons for boys|website=TODAY.com}} Plank left the podcast in 2024 after The New York Times reported allegations that Baldoni sexually harassed Blake Lively. Plank wrote in a statement, "I will continue to support everyone who calls out injustice and holds the people standing in their way accountable".{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-man-enough-cohost-liz-plank-quits-blake-lively-1236241492/|title= Justin Baldoni's 'Man Enough' Co-Host Liz Plank Quits In Wake Of Blake Lively Allegations|website= Deadline Hollywood|date= December 24, 2024|accessdate= December 24, 2024}}

Baldoni co-founded a production company called Wayfarer Entertainment that produces television, films, and digital content. In 2019, Wayfarer sold a majority stake in the company to investment fund 4S Bay Partners, setting up a $25 million content fund,{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/justin-baldoni-wayfarer-entertainment-sale-25-million-fund-1203123397/ |title=Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Entertainment Sells Majority Stake, Sets $25 Million Production Fund|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=January 30, 2019 |website=Variety |language=en|access-date=February 1, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/justin-baldoni-wayfarer-entertainment-sells-majority-stake-sets-25m-content-fund-1202544546/|title=Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Entertainment Sells Majority Stake, Sets Up $25M Content Fund|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=January 30, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=February 1, 2019}} and was renamed Wayfarer Studios in 2020.{{cite web |last=Conway |first=Jeff |date=2024-08-08 |title=Meet the Wayfarer Studios Team Bringing 'It Ends with Us' to Theaters |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffconway/2024/08/08/meet-the-wayfarer-studios-team-bringing-it-ends-with-us-to-theaters/ |website=Forbes}} The studio's most successful project to date is the 2024 romance drama It Ends with Us, that Baldoni directs and stars in. The film has grossed $391 million at the box office.[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt10655524/ It Ends with Us (2024)] Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 1 January 2025 The studio has also partnered with the nonprofit No More to provide resources and information related to domestic abuse and violence such as that shown in the film.Stephan, Katcy (14 August 2024) [https://variety.com/2024/film/news/it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-nonprofit-wayfarer-studios-no-more-1236107116/ ‘It Ends With Us’: Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios Partners With Nonprofit No More to Provide Resources for Survivors of Abuse (EXCLUSIVE)] Variety. Retrieved on 1 January 2025 [https://www.nomore.org No More] dedicates itself is to ending domestic and sexual violence. They work to increase awareness, inspire action, and fuel culture change with a view to eradicating domestic violence. It is a global initiative that comprises “the largest coalition of non-profits, corporations, government agencies, media, schools, and individuals addressing domestic and sexual violence”. They say they are “committed to engaging, reaching, and working with people from diverse communities”.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=About |url=https://www.nomore.org/about/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=NO MORE |language=en}}

In 2014, Baldoni through Wayfarer Studios's philanthropic branch, Wayfarer Foundation started the annual Skid Row Carnival of Love in downtown Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Reneau |first=Annie |date=2020-02-14 |title=Justin Baldoni's 'Carnival of Love' brings a day of joy and services to 4,000 people experiencing homelessness |url=https://www.upworthy.com/justin-baldoni-throws-a-carnival-of-love-for-more-than-4000-homeless-people-on-his-birthday |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Upworthy |language=en-US}} The event served between 4 and 5 thousand homeless individuals living around Skid Row providing career services such as "housing services, domestic violence services, dental and medical exams, an eye clinic, haircuts, and massages" and other festivities such as face-painting, live concerts, and children's activities.Pener, Degen (11 July 2019) [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/justin-baldoni-expanding-skid-row-carnival-love-1223840/ ‘Jane the Virgin’s’ Justin Baldoni Expanding Skid Row Carnival of Love] The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on 1 January 2025

After almost two years of dating, Baldoni married Swedish actress Emily Foxler, now known as Emily Baldoni.{{cite web |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/625286/jane-the-virgin-star-justin-baldoni-and-wife-are-expecting-a-baby-see-co-star-gina-rodriguez-s-cute-reaction |title=Jane the Virgin Star Justin Baldoni and Wife Are Expecting a Baby! See Co-Star Gina Rodriguez's Cute Reaction |website=E! News|date=February 12, 2015 |first=Michelle |last=Tak |access-date=March 1, 2019}} He proposed to her in a 27-minute video which he released on his production company's YouTube channel where it went viral. He described it as "his first movie".{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4nC65ucQKg|title= Justin Baldoni Made a Viral Short to Propose to His Wife|website= LiveKellyandMark|date= December 10, 2024|accessdate= January 1, 2025}}{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsZXNmBWd0Y|title= Cole Sprouse & Haley Lu Richardson's Reaction To Justin Baldoni's Proposal Video Is Everything!|date= March 7, 2019|via= YouTube|accessdate= January 1, 2025}}{{cite web|url= https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/justin-baldoni-wife-marriage-proposal-video-blake-lively-lawsuit-b2670882.html|title= Justin Baldoni's 27-minute proposal video resurfaces amid co-star Blake Lively's lawsuit|website= The Independent|date= December 28, 2024|accessdate= January 1, 2025}} The couple married in July 2013 in Corona, California.{{cite web |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/625286/jane-the-virgin-star-justin-baldoni-and-wife-are-expecting-a-baby-see-co-star-gina-rodriguez-s-cute-reaction |title=Jane the Virgin Star Justin Baldoni and Wife Are Expecting a Baby! See Co-Star Gina Rodriguez's Cute Reaction |website=E! News|date=February 12, 2015 |first=Michelle |last=Tak |access-date=March 1, 2019}} Together they have a daughter and a son.{{cite web |url=https://people.com/parents/justin-baldoni-welcomes-daughter-maiya-grace/|title=Justin Baldoni Welcomes Daughter Maiya Grace |work=People |date=June 30, 2015|first=Anya|last=Leon|access-date=March 1, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://people.com/parents/justin-baldoni-welcomes-son-maxwell-roland-samuel/|title=Justin Baldoni Welcomes Son Maxwell Roland-Samuel |work=People |date=October 22, 2017 |first=Jen |last=Juneau |access-date=October 22, 2017}}

Baldoni is a member of the Baháʼí Faith and has stated that for him it's a "daily source of inner happiness".{{cite web|url= https://www.today.com/parents/how-justin-baldoni-opening-his-spiritual-toolbox-his-kids-during-t179243|title= How Justin Baldoni is opening his 'spiritual toolbox' to his kids during pandemic|website= Today|date= April 20, 2020|accessdate= December 24, 2024}} He has stated that he has ADHD.{{Cite web |title=Are you Man Enough? Justin Baldoni on Undefining Masculinity – MENTOR360 |url=https://www.mentor360.com/are-you-man-enough-justin-baldoni-on-undefining-masculinity/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |language=en-GB}}{{cite web |url=https://people.com/blake-lively-sues-it-ends-with-us-costar-justin-baldoni-for-sexual-harassment-8765475|title=Blake Lively Sues It Ends with Us Costar Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment, Claims He Caused Her 'Severe Emotional Distress' |work=People |date=December 21, 2024|first=Nicolas |last=Rice|access-date=December 21, 2024}} He has previously written and spoken about his struggles with Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).Reneau, Annie (30 April 2021) [https://www.upworthy.com/justin-baldoni-man-enough Justin Baldoni opens up about body dysmorphia and his struggles to be 'man enough'] Upworthy. Retrieved on 31 December 2024[https://people.com/health/justin-baldoni-body-dysmorphia/ 'Jane the Virgin's' Justin Baldoni on His Body Dysmorphia: 'I Never Feel Like I'm Strong Enough'] People. 26 April 2018 Baldoni is on the Board of Ambassadors of the Tahirih Justice Center, a nonprofit advocating for women, girls, and all immigrant survivors of gender-based violence.[https://www.tahirih.org/about-us/our-team/board-of-ambassadors/ Board of Ambassadors] Tahirih Justice Center. Retrieved on 1 January 2025

{{main|It Ends with Us controversy}}

Baldoni directed and starred opposite Blake Lively in It Ends with Us (2024), a box-office success. Its contentious filming received substantial media coverage, as both Lively and Baldoni filed lawsuits related to the production.{{cite web |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 |website=CNN |access-date=January 16, 2025 }} In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios, accusing them of sexual harassment and intimidation. Denying the allegations, Baldoni sued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million, alleging that the Hollywood power couple sought to "destroy" him, along with their publicist Leslie Sloan of Vision PR (a company originally backed financially by Harvey Weinstein),{{cite web |title=Harvey Weinstein Backing Publicist Leslie Sloane's New Venture |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/harvey-weinstein-publicist-leslie-sloane-697636/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |accessdate=March 4, 2025}} and also sued The New York Times for libel over their investigation and reporting of the allegations made in a California Civil Rights Department (CRD) complaint submitted by Lively on December 20, 2024.

On December 20, 2024, actress Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) against Baldoni for sexual harassment and intimidation on the set of It Ends with Us (2024).{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd-uTTO6YwU&feature=youtu.be |title=Megyn Kelly Just EXPOSED Blake Lively Hollywood Scandal, $650M Lawsuit |date=2025-02-18 |last=Celebrity What If |access-date=2025-02-18 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=Andreeva |first2=Nellie |date=2024-12-21 |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/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} The New York Times ran a corresponding story accusing Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath of hiring crisis management experts to "destroy" Lively's reputation through social media campaigns and strategic media placement. Baldoni has denied the accusations, and his lawyer, Bryan Freedman, produced a statement describing Lively's claims as "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious."{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236257048/|title= Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment; His Lawyer Slams 'Shameful' Lawsuit Full of 'False Accusations'|website= Variety|date= December 21, 2024|accessdate= December 22, 2024}}

On December 21, 2024, the talent agency WME dropped Baldoni as a client.{{cite news | url=https://people.com/justin-baldoni-dropped-by-talent-agency-as-blake-lively-sues-him-for-sexual-harassment-8765535 | title=Justin Baldoni Dropped by His Talent Agency as Blake Lively Sues Him for Sexual Harassment | date=2024-12-21 | first=Bailey| last=Richards |work=People| accessdate=2024-12-22}}{{sfn|Wagmeister|2025b}} Colleen Hoover, the author of the novel on which the film is based, released a personal statement supporting Lively.{{cite web |last1=Garner |first1=Glenn |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |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/ |accessdate=December 22, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 22, 2024 }} Baldoni, who had recently received the Voices of Solidarity Award, had it rescinded by its sponsor, Vital Voices.{{cite web|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.|title= Statement by Vital Voices on Decision to Rescind Voices of Solidarity Award|website= Vital Voices|accessdate= December 23, 2024}} Baldoni's Man Enough co-host Liz Plank resigned from their podcast.{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/liz-plank-justin-baldoni-quit-podcast-blake-lively-1236258664/|title= Justin Baldoni's Podcast Co-Host Resigns After Blake Lively's Allegations: 'I Will Continue to Support Everyone Who Calls Out Injustice'|website= Variety|date= December 23, 2024|accessdate= December 23, 2024}} Sony Pictures released a statement standing by Lively, adding, "[W]e strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society."{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2024/12/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-sony-smear-campaign-1236241495/|title= Sony Condemns "Any Reputational Attacks" On Blake Lively From Justin Baldoni's Alleged Smear Campaign Against 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star|website= Deadline Hollywood|date= December 24, 2024|accessdate= December 24, 2024}}

In response to their reporting on the allegations by Lively, Justin Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit for $250 million against The New York Times for pushing an "unverified and self-serving narrative" using "cherry-picked and altered communications stripped of necessary context," and allegedly ignoring evidence disputing her claims.{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Winston |date=2025-01-01 |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/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} Baldoni's lawyer stated, "In this vicious smear campaign fully orchestrated by Blake 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."

The New York Times has defended itself, saying, "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=2024-12-31 |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/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

On December 31, 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, mirroring the California Civil Rights Department complaint. The lawsuit named Baldoni; his film studio, Wayfarer; and the two public relations representatives, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel.{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/blake-lively-sues-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236097463/|title= Blake Lively Sues 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star and Director Justin Baldoni for Sexual Harassment|website= The Hollywood Reporter|date= January 2025|accessdate= January 1, 2025}}

On 16 January 2025, Baldoni's attorney filed a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloan for civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy.{{sfn|Wagmeister|2025b}} The 170-page complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that Lively attempted to hijack control of the movie with demands and threats, and despite getting most of what she wanted, decided to accuse Baldoni of a smear campaign, "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 denies any sexual harassment took place and said 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 | last=Ungar-Sargon |first=Batya| author-link=Batya Ungar-Sargon| website=The Free Press |date=February 18, 2025|access-date=20 February 2025}}{{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 |website=thelawsuitinfo.com |publisher=U.S. District Court for the Southern District New York |access-date=20 February 2025}}

Baldoni contends that Lively, along with Reynolds and Sloan, engaged in a coordinated effort to tarnish his reputation, derail his career, and obscure the film’s original purpose of highlighting domestic violence awareness.{{cite web|title=Justin Baldoni et al. v. Blake Lively et al. Complaint |url=https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/01/justin-baldoni-sues-blake-lively.pdf |date=16 January 2025 |access-date=18 January 2025 |publisher=United States District Court for the Southern District of New York via Fox News}}

• Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity (HarperOne, 2021)
• Boys Will Be Human: A Get-Real Gut-Check Guide to Becoming the Strongest, Kindest, Bravest Person You Can Be (Harper Collins, 2022)

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite web |last=Clayton |first=Abené |date=4 January 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 |website=The Guardian |access-date=4 January 2025 }}
• {{cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Today's famous birthdays list for January 24, 2023 includes celebrities Neil Diamond, Aaron Neville |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/01/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-january-24-2023-includes-celebrities-neil-diamond-aaron-neville.html |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=Cleveland.com }}
• {{cite web |last=Spevack |first=Violet |date=18 August 2006 |title=At death, a celebration of life |url=https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/archives/at-death-a-celebration-of-life/article_f130dffa-deb5-5cd9-b7b6-b79b3058be87.html |website=Cleveland Jewish News}}
• {{cite web |author=Jerusalem Post Staff |date=22 December 2024 |title=Is Justin Baldoni Jewish? Ashkenazi heritage and Baha'i faith |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-834413 |website=The Jerusalem Post |ref={{sfnref|JP Staff|2024}} }}
• {{Cite news |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=August 17, 2016 |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/my-last-days-justin-baldoni-the-cw-1201838847/ |title='Jane the Virgin' Star Justin Baldoni Focuses on Filmmaking for a Good Cause With 'My Last Days' |work=Variety |access-date=October 6, 2017 |language=en-US}}
• {{cite news |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=July 6, 2017 |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/justin-baldoni-talk-show-the-mens-room-1202488304/ |title='Jane the Virgin' Star Justin Baldoni Developing Men's Talk Show (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety |access-date=October 6, 2017 |language=en-US}}
• {{cite news |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=2025-01-01 |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 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=CNN |language=en |ref={{sfnref|Wagmeister|2025a}} }}
• {{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 |website=CNN |access-date=2025-01-16 |ref={{sfnref|Wagmeister|2025b}} }}

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• {{IMDb name|1682573}}
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