Twist in the affair between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The actor in turn accuses the “Gossip Girl” star of defamation and demands 400 million dollars in court. A battle which risks shaking the backstage of Hollywood and leaving traces on the careers of the two stars…
The legal standoff between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has just taken a new turn. While the actress had filed a complaint last December against her on-screen partner for sexual harassment, the latter has just responded by attacking the “Gossip Girl” star for defamation. A resounding counter-attack which risks lastingly shaking the backstage of Hollywood.
$400 million at stake
According to court documents filed Thursday in New York, Justin Baldoni is seeking a whopping $400 million in damages from Blake Lively. Her lawyer claims to have “an overwhelming amount of evidence” demonstrating a deliberate desire by the actress and her team to “destroy” her client’s reputation by relaying “doctored information” in the media.
In addition to Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds is also among the people targeted by Justin Baldoni’s complaint. According to the latter, the star couple would have plotted to “steal” and “take control” of the promotion of the film “Nevermore”. An attempt at “extortion” coupled with a clear violation of the private life of the actor-director.
This counterattack by Justin Baldoni marks a new chapter in what promises to be a long legal and media battle between the two camps. A battle which risks lastingly tarnishing the image of the stars involved and weighing on their careers in Hollywood. Especially since Justin Baldoni has already launched defamation proceedings against the New York Times, demanding $250 million from the newspaper for having revealed Blake Lively’s initial complaint in his columns.
Hollywood holds its breath
Hollywood is in shock. Two of its rising stars now face each other in court in a merciless duel. Whatever the legal outcome of the case, the damage is done. Reputations are tainted and doubts persist. It will be difficult to erase the traces of this scandal.– An influential producer speaking on condition of anonymity
Beyond the protagonists, the entire film industry finds itself once again shaken by these types of accusations, in the wake of the Weinstein affair and the #MeToo movement. This umpteenth scandal illustrates the persistence of sexist behavior and relationships of domination which plague the backstage of the 7th art, despite calls for collective awareness.
Contacted, the representatives of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni did not wish to comment on the latest developments in the case. But one thing is certain: all eyes are now on the next episodes of this legal soap opera with twists and turns. A soap opera that Hollywood would have done without.
An argument which echoes the accusations made by Blake Lively at the end of 2022. In her initial complaint, the actress claimed to have been the victim of inappropriate behavior and comments of a sexual nature from Justin Baldoni and a producer during the filming of the film “Never again”, which she shares with the actor-director.
Alleged forced kissing and exhibitionism
According to a source close to the matter, Justin Baldoni allegedly imposed several kisses not planned for in the script on his partner. For his part, producer Jamey Health was allegedly guilty of voyeurism by observing Blake Lively topless in her dressing room. Serious facts that Justin Baldoni and his team then tried to minimize via a press campaign in order to discredit the actress.
Ryan Reynolds also targeted
In addition to Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds is also among the people targeted by Justin Baldoni’s complaint. According to the latter, the star couple would have plotted to “steal” and “take control” of the promotion of the film “Nevermore”. An attempt at “extortion” coupled with a clear violation of the actor-director’s private life.
This counterattack by Justin Baldoni marks a new chapter in what promises to be a long legal and media battle between the two camps. A battle which risks lastingly tarnishing the image of the stars involved and weighing on their careers in Hollywood. Especially since Justin Baldoni has already launched defamation proceedings against the New York Times, demanding $250 million from the newspaper for having revealed Blake Lively’s initial complaint in his columns.
Hollywood holds its breath
Hollywood is in shock. Two of its rising stars now face each other in court in a merciless duel. Whatever the legal outcome of the case, the damage is done. Reputations are tainted and doubts persist. It will be difficult to erase the traces of this scandal.– An influential producer speaking on condition of anonymity
Beyond the protagonists, the entire film industry finds itself once again shaken by these types of accusations, in the wake of the Weinstein affair and the #MeToo movement. This umpteenth scandal illustrates the persistence of sexist behavior and relationships of domination which plague the backstage of the 7th art, despite calls for collective awareness.
Contacted, the representatives of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni did not wish to comment on the latest developments in the case. But one thing is certain: all eyes are now on the next episodes of this legal soap opera with twists and turns. A soap opera that Hollywood would have done without.
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