Blake Lively has strongly criticized Justin Baldoni’s release of behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us, calling it an “unethical attempt” to counter her sexual harassment claims.
Lively’s legal representatives have accused Baldoni of using the video, which was released earlier today, as a misleading narrative to undermine her allegations. They argue that the footage, heavily edited, actually supports her claims of misconduct.
The video captures interactions between Baldoni and Lively during a scene from the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel. While Baldoni’s legal team insists the video disproves the allegations, Lively’s attorneys from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and Willkie Farr & Gallagher assert it corroborates her account.
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According to Lively’s attorneys, the video reveals Baldoni engaging in unplanned and unwanted physical contact, including kissing her forehead, touching her lip, and making comments about her scent—all without prior discussion or her consent. They further allege that no intimacy coordinator was present during filming and that Lively’s discomfort is evident as she tries to deflect his advances.
The legal conflict between the two has escalated, involving multiple lawsuits. On January 16, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and others, as well as a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times. In response, Lively filed her own lawsuit, accusing Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios of sexual harassment and retaliation.
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Lively’s attorneys criticized Baldoni’s decision to release the footage publicly instead of presenting it in court, calling it part of a broader “harassment and retaliatory campaign.”
Baldoni’s legal team has not yet issued a statement regarding the latest developments.