Blake Lively Calls Justin Baldoni ‘A Clown’ in Unsealed Court Documents
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have been entangled in a contentious legal battle following their collaboration in the film It Ends With Us. Recent court documents reveal a series of bold statements by Lively, raising eyebrows and adding intrigue to the ongoing case.
– Accusations and Background:
– Lively referred to Baldoni as a “doofus director” and “clown” in text messages that have surfaced from her legal filings.
– In December 2024, Lively sued Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and claiming he orchestrated a smear campaign against her.
– Baldoni vehemently denies all allegations and is actively defending himself in the lawsuit, which also names his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
– Revelations from Court Documents:
– The messages show Lively venting frustrations about Baldoni, describing him as a “rabid pig”, and expressing sentiments that her friend Taylor Swift noted he seemed aware that the lawsuit was imminent, as he had “gotten out his tiny violin.”
– Last June, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million counter-suit, while Lively’s case is set for trial in May.
– Content of the Text Messages:
– Lively described Baldoni as “this doofus director of my movie” and mocked his aspirations as a writer.
– In her legal team’s recent filing, they acknowledged her colorful language but asserted that the messages lacked essential context, referring to a more extensive exchange that included Lively suggesting mutual benefits from her connections with Swift and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
– Statements from Legal Representatives:
– Sigrid McCawley, Lively’s attorney, emphasized that the documents illustrate the ongoing harassment concerns raised by Lively and her associates dating back to Spring 2023.
– Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Feldman, responded to the BBC, asserting that the evidence does not support Lively’s claims and expressing confidence in the legal process to vindicate Baldoni and his team.
– Emotional Toll:
– Notably, Lively shared feelings of distress over Baldoni’s alleged behavior, stating in texts, “Despite his repeated disturbing behavior… I still feel bad for him.” She highlighted the difficulty of being smeared for advocating against harassment while trying to improve the film’s production.
– Lively expressed disbelief over Baldoni’s actions, saying, “I literally don’t know a single thing I’ve done that he can smear me about.”
– Additional Accounts of Misconduct:
– The unsealed documents also contained messages where Lively confided in friend Liz Plank about an emotionally taxing set visit, illustrating the film set’s challenging environment.
– Co-star Jenny Slate corroborated this by alleging misconduct on set, having filed complaints against Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath.
– Continuing Legal Proceedings:
– In February 2024, Baldoni expressed concerns to Heath regarding Lively’s potential use of her allegations as leverage against him during the movie’s promotion.
– Lively’s filing includes accusations of repeated sexual harassment, extending to a hostile working atmosphere characterized by Baldoni’s behavior.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the dynamics between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni continue to draw attention, with the upcoming trial in May poised to bring further revelations. The recent unsealed documents add layers to an already complex narrative, showcasing the struggle for power and truth in Hollywood’s often turbulent backdrop.