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Blake Lively thinks Justin Baldoni just dug his own grave.
As most celebrity gossip followers know, Blake Lively recently accused the actor of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us… alleging that her co-star created a toxic work environment and also participated in a smear campaign against his colleague after the shooting. release of the film.
In response, Baldoni denied the allegations.
Then, the 40-year-old's lawyers filed a $400 million lawsuit in the Southern District of New York on Jan. 16 on behalf of Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, publicist Jennifer Abel and journalist Melissa Nathan crisis.
Baldoni previously said that Lively was “constantly unable to make decisions” throughout filming the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's book.
That film's director, Baldoni, also claimed that Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds hijacked It Ends With Us via script rewrites and launched a smear campaign against him when “his rash promotions failed.”
Overall, Baldoni is pursuing legal action for allegations of civil extortion…defamation…invasion of privacy by false light…violation of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing…d intentional interference with contractual relations… intentional interference with potential economic advantage… and negligent interference with potential economic advantage… economic advantage.
Earlier this week, he attempted to provide evidence on his side by posting behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us.
This footage shows Baldoni and Lively talking and laughing during a romantic scene, with the two men appearing to hit it off as they discuss the most effective way to film this moment in the film.
Proof that Baldoni was respectful and that the two worked well together, right?
WRONG, Lively says now.
“Justin Baldoni and his attorney may hope that this latest case will preempt the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is damning,” Lively’s attorneys said on Jan. 21.
“The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning toward Ms. Lively, trying to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, brushing her lips with his thumb, caressing her, telling her to how good she smells, and talking with her out of character.
These attorneys alleged that “every moment of this matter was improvised by Mr. Baldoni, without prior discussion or consent, and without the presence of a Privacy Coordinator.”
They added:
“Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively's co-star, but also Ms. Lively's director, studio head and boss. The video shows Ms. Lively leaning over and repeatedly asking the characters to just talk .
Lively said Baldoni showed her lewd photos while filming, often broached the subject of pornography and generally made her feel disrespected and uncomfortable.
The Gossip Girl alum's lawyer doubled down on Tuesday:
“Any woman who has been touched inappropriately in the workplace will recognize Ms. Lively’s discomfort. They will recognize his attempts at levity to try to deflect unwanted touching. No woman should have to take defensive measures to avoid being touched by her employer without her consent.
In the post, Lively's legal team also accused Baldoni of presenting an “unethical attempt to manipulate the public” through the release of the behind-the-scenes footage.
As you can see, things are getting uglier and uglier between these two.
In a January 21 response, Baldoni's lawyers said it was “his right to publicly defend himself by presenting real facts and evidence,” continuing:
“MS. Lively wishes very different standards applied to her, but luckily truth and authenticity apply to everyone and can never be wrong. Looking at the video and the evidence to come, I I can understand why Ms. Lively wouldn't want this to happen in public.
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