WME Denies Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Pressure To Drop Justin Baldoni

Justin BaldoniFormer agency WME insists Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively had nothing to do with them dropping the actor and director.

Talent agency Baldoni, 40, was dropped as a client last month just one day after Lively, 37, filed a complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and a hostile workplace on the set of their film, It ends with us. Tuesday, December 31, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit vs The New York Times — which covered Lively's Dec. 21 complaint — alleging, in part, that Reynolds pressured Baldoni's agent into taking her Deadpool & Wolverine premiered last year in an attempt to “destroy Baldoni's career and personal life.”

WME told WME on Wednesday, Jan. 1 The Hollywood Reporter“Baldoni's application contains an allegation that Reynolds put pressure on Baldoni's agent Deadpool & Wolverine premiere. This is not true. Baldonis' former representative was not present Deadpool & Wolverine premiere, nor was there any pressure from Reynolds or Lively to drop Baldoni as a client at any point.

Baldoni is suing New York Times for defamation and false invasion of privacy, among others.

Related: Every counterclaim made in Justin Baldoni's New York Times lawsuit

Getty Images (2) Justin Baldoni is defending himself against allegations made by his 'It Ends with Us' co-star Blake Lively in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday (December 31). Baldoni, 40, is suing The New York Times for $250 million, alleging defamation and misrepresentation. mild invasion of privacy for a story published in December (…)

A claim obtained by Us Weeklyclaims that Lively “systematically excluded (him) from the marketing of his film.”

This was also claimed by Baldoni Lively tried to ban him from the film's premiere last summer.

“Further undermining Baldoni's role, Lively initially refused to allow him to attend the Film's premiere,” the lawsuit states. “Only after considerable pressure did she reluctantly agree to allow Baldoni and the Wayfarer team to come, but under humiliating conditions. The Wayfarer crew and their families, including Baldoni and (producer Jamie) Heath, were separated from the main cast, denied access to the exclusive after-party and forced to host their own event at extra cost.

The suit details Lively's alleged efforts to oust Baldoni and his family at the film's premiere.

“Baldoni's participation on the red carpet was interrupted, and his family and friends were confined to a temporary holding area in the basement before being escorted to a separate theater after Lively's departure,” the suit continues. “Not only had Lively stolen the Film, she also robbed Baldoni and his team of a real opportunity to celebrate their hard work.”

Lively filed her own lawsuit against Baldoni in the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, We can be confirmed. In addition to Baldoni, the actress is also suing publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abelin association with Wayfarer Studios.

Related: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Drama Explained

UPDATE 12/31/21 11.30pm ET: Justin Baldoni was one of 10 plaintiffs to file a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times after it published a story about actor Blake Lively after she sued him for sexual harassment. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which include publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, and it ends with us (…)

The lawsuit alleges sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages. The claims are similar to those made in Lively's complaint, which was filed 11 days earlier with the California Department of Civil Rights.

“Nothing in this lawsuit alters the claims made in Ms. Lively's California Department of Civil Rights complaint, nor in her federal complaint filed today,” Lively's attorney said in response to Baldoni's lawsuit. We. “This lawsuit is based on the patently false premise that Ms. Lively's administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a ruse based on her choice 'not to file suit against Baldoni, Wayfarer' and that 'litigation was never her primary goal.'” According to Lively's Ms.'s federal complaint filed today by Ms. Lively, this Wayfarer lawsuit reference system is false.Although we won't judge of this case in the press, we encourage people to read Ms. Lively's complaint in its entirety.