Blake Lively has expanded her lawsuit against co-star Justin Baldoni, claiming he made two other actresses on set “uncomfortable” and willing to testify about their experiences. The amended complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, adds new claims of defamation and retaliation.
Lively had initially accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign in December 2023. He denied the allegations and countersued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, claiming they were trying to harm his reputation and wrest creative control of the film “It Ends With Us”.
The amended complaint reveals that Lively reported concerns about Baldioni’s behavior to Sony Pictures Entertainment representatives and another actress on set came forward with similar complaints. However, Baldoni responded to the second woman in writing, saying he was aware of her concerns and would make adjustments.
Lively’s lawyers say the new allegations are supported by “significant contemporaneous evidence”. They claim that two additional actresses have come forward willing to testify about their experiences.
Baldoni’s team has dismissed Lively’s claims as unsubstantiated hearsay. However, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Lively and witnesses to her behavior may provide new insight into the case.
The lawsuit adds Jed Wallace and his public relations company Street Relations Inc. to the list of defendants. Ms. Lively had previously sued Mr. Wallace for defamation in Texas federal court.
Lively and Baldoni have been engaged in a heated legal battle since Lively came forward with allegations against him. The dispute has been highly publicized, with Judge Lewis J. Liman recently ordering lawyers on both sides to refrain from making public comments outside of the courtroom.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/us/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-lawsuit.html