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Blake Lively’s Sexual Harassment Claims Against Justin Baldoni Under Scrutiny in Legal Dispute
One of Blake Lively’s central allegations against Justin Baldoni could distinguish her position in the actors’ evolving legal clash. The case revolves around claims of sexual harassment and on-set conduct during the filming of “It Ends With Us.”
“In my professional legal opinion, Blake Lively presents a more compelling case. Justin Baldoni’s arguments concerning fame and control do not effectively counter her sexual harassment accusations,” states attorney and legal analyst Dina Doll in the new ID documentary, In Dispute: Lively vs. Baldoni, which premiered in the U.S. on Monday, March 31. “The allegations regarding the improvised kissing scene and discussions about pornography, irrespective of the workplace environment, constitute a robust basis for a sexual harassment claim.”
Legal Expert Weighs In on Lively vs. Baldoni Case
Doll, who has no direct involvement in this case, further commented that the “primary victims” in the dispute between Lively, 37, and Baldoni are “survivors of domestic abuse.” Their legal conflict centers on claims related to their 2024 film It Ends With Us, where Lively’s character navigates domestic violence perpetrated by her husband, portrayed and directed by Baldoni, 41.
“This movie addresses domestic violence, yet that topic has been overshadowed in public discourse,” Doll observed in the documentary. “Regrettably, there are sexual harassment allegations originating from a set focused on domestic violence, and public opinion appears to have solidified on the matter before any evidence has been formally presented in court.” (The documentary, initially titled He Said, She Said: Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni, was initially broadcast in the U.K. on March 17.)
Sexual Harassment Allegations at the Forefront of Lively Lawsuit
Sexual harassment and improper conduct on set form the core of Lively’s accusations against Baldoni in her December 2024 lawsuit. She alleges that the It Ends With Us filmmaker initiated a “social manipulation” campaign aimed at damaging her reputation. Lively also expanded her lawsuit in February to include claims that Baldoni created an “uncomfortable” environment for other women during filming.
Baldoni has denied his co-star’s allegations in his December 2024 lawsuit against The New York Times — the initial outlet to report on Lively’s case — and his subsequent $400 million lawsuit in January against Lively, her spouse, Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane. He further claims that Lively attempted to exert control over creative decisions for It Ends With Us, excluded him from film publicity, and sought to prevent his attendance at the New York City premiere.
Both actors and their respective legal teams have emphatically refuted the opposing claims. A court date for the trial has been scheduled for March 9, 2026.
Motion to Dismiss Baldoni’s Lawsuits
Lively, Reynolds, 48, and Sloane have all submitted motions seeking dismissal from Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit. Similarly, The New York Times filed a motion last month to dismiss Baldoni’s $250 million suit against the publication.
Public Relations Experts on Reputation Management for Lively and Baldoni
In the ID documentary, R Public Relations founder Emily Reynolds Bergh suggests both Lively and Baldoni will “need to engage in substantial efforts” to rehabilitate their public images following the resolution of the legal proceedings. “For Blake, I believe vulnerability is key. She needs to present moments that resonate with her role as a mother of four,” Bergh commented. “We seek connection and empathy with her … which woman hasn’t felt uncomfortable in a professional setting? There’s a desire to support her.”
She continued, “Conversely, Justin, who has utilized his platform to challenge harmful masculine stereotypes, also needs to acknowledge areas for improvement and express accountability.”
In Dispute: Lively vs. Baldoni premiered on ID Monday, March 31, at 8 p.m. ET. Further investigation into the lawsuits will be featured in Discovery+’s upcoming summer docuseries.