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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Legal Dispute Escalates
The ongoing legal confrontation between It Ends With Us stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken a dramatic turn.
In response to Baldoni’s recent $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit filed in Federal Court, Lively’s legal team asserted that the new claims represent “another chapter in the abuser playbook.” They defined the actions of Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and their associates as an attempt to manipulate the narrative following the disclosure of sexual harassment allegations against Baldoni.
According to Lively’s representatives, their strategy includes a practice known as DARVO—Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim Offender—arguing that such tactics aim to discredit victims of harassment and retaliate against them.
The statement continued, criticizing Wayfarer Studios for leveraging its financial power to produce media statements, pursue what they describe as baseless lawsuits, and engage in litigation tactics designed to cloud public understanding of the underlying issues related to harassment allegations.
Lively’s attorneys, representing her alongside her husband Ryan Reynolds and two publicists, swiftly countered Baldoni’s claims, alleging that he is “trying to shift the narrative” regarding Lively’s involvement in the film production. They maintain that Baldoni’s assertion that she took control and alienated other cast members is false and will be contradicted by evidence showing that cast members experienced their own negative interactions with him.
The litigation claims by Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios demand at least $400 million in damages, citing loss of future income as a significant factor. It is alleged that Lively and Reynolds commandeered the production and marketing efforts of It Ends With Us and disseminated misinformation regarding Baldoni and others involved in the film.
Context of the Allegations
This legal feud follows Lively’s own lawsuit filed about two weeks prior, where she accused Baldoni and various others associated with the film of retaliating against her for bringing attention to her treatment during the movie’s production. The film, drawing from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, made a strong entrance at the box office with $50 million upon its release in August. However, its narrative shifted from a classic romantic drama to a serious examination of domestic violence, igniting significant discourse in Hollywood about the treatment of women in the industry.
Baldoni’s lawsuit argues that Lively and Reynolds utilized their star power to undermine the film’s completion. Baldoni expressed that when the couple failed to achieve the accolades they anticipated, their anger was redirected towards him as a scapegoat.
The Accusations and Defense
In his suit, Baldoni contends that Lively’s claims of harassment are entirely fabricated, pointing to moments of camaraderie, such as instances where she was comfortable enough to breast-feed during work meetings. Additionally, he states that all of her requests for an intimacy coordinator during filming were met.
Key to Baldoni’s defense are detailed text exchanges between him and Lively, which are cited in the lawsuit. In these communications, Lively allegedly praises Baldoni’s work while also leveraging the influence of her social circle, referred to as “dragons,” alluding to notable friends who provide her with support and power.
Moreover, Baldoni’s accusations suggest that he faced undue pressure as a result of Lively’s influential relationships, particularly indicating that her husband, Reynolds, interfered with his professional commitments and interactions.
As this high-profile legal battle continues to unfold, the implications for both parties are significant. The cases touch upon broader themes of power dynamics in Hollywood, the complex nature of sexual harassment claims, and the repercussions of public and private reputations within the entertainment industry.
Source
globalnews.ca