In December 2024, the American actress (Adaline, Gossip Girl) filed a complaint against the director and actor of Never again for sexual harassment. The latter decided to counterattack by denouncing in court a smear campaign intended to tarnish his reputation.
Harassment, defamation, abuse of power… A legal battle rages between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. The director and actor of Never againtargeted by accusations of sexual harassment on the set of the film by Blake Lively, in turn filed a complaint against the actress for defamation, indicates Variety on January 1, 2025. He is also suing the American daily The New York Timeswhich published a long article on December 21 revealing the actress’ complaint and recounting the affair.
Justin Baldoni and nine other plaintiffs, including his production company Wayfarer Studios, business partners and a public relations team are suing New York Times for defamation, invasion of privacy, disclosure of false information, and implicit breach of contract. The plaintiffs are seeking an astronomical sum of $250 million in compensation. The actor also accuses Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds of having pressured the agency WME, which represented him, to terminate his contract.
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A scenario that echoes the accusations
Blake Lively’s accusations against her gambling partner have particular resonance with the film’s storyline. Never again, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling book, tells the story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a young woman who moves to a new town and falls in love with Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), an attractive but violent man. In his 80-page complaint, obtained by TMZ the actress claims that she would have asked for measures to be taken on set to ensure a more respectful working environment. In particular the fact that Justin Baldoni stops him « show videos or images of naked women »to stop mentioning his alleged « pornography addiction »to stop discussing his “sexual conquests” in front of her and above all to no longer add « sex scenes, oral sex or orgasm involving Blake Lively outside the framework of the script that the latter approved.
« The truth will shock everyone who was manipulated into believing a blatantly false narrative. »
Lawyer for Justin Baldoni.
A few days before filing the complaint, the actor and director’s lawyer announced: « the truth will shock all those who have been manipulated and believed a blatantly false story ». Quoted by People the lawyer maintains that the actor is himself the victim of « Vicious smear campaign entirely orchestrated by Blake Lively and her team », and that the « New York Times pandered to the desires and whims of untouchable Hollywood elites ». In his complaint, Justin Baldoni notably listed several messages which would prove the good faith of the actor.
For its part, the American daily affirms, through one of its spokespersons, that it plans to defend itself « with force » in this trial. « The role of an independent media is to follow the facts wherever they lead us »declares the spokesperson for New York Times . « Notre article was published after a meticulous and responsible investigation. It is based on the review of thousands of pages of original documents, including text messages and emails that we cite in detail and in detail in the article. To date, Wayfarer Studios, Mr. Baldoni, others affected by the article, and their representatives have not reported a single error. »
