In a lawsuit that has shaken Hollywood's corridors of power, actress Blake Lively has accused her It Ends With Us director and co-star, Justin Baldoni, of sexual harassment and an orchestrated smear campaign. As the dispute continues to generate fervent debate, Amber Heard-who faced a highly publicized defamation trial with her ex-husband Johnny Depp-has stepped forward in support of Lively, stating that she "saw this firsthand and up close."
Lively, 37, claims in her filing that Baldoni, 40, created a toxic on-set environment, made unwelcome advances, and led an expansive effort to damage her reputation once filming ended. Among her allegations are that Baldoni "improvised" intimacy scenes to include "sucking" and "biting" on her lip, as well as pressuring her into additional nude scenes while his friends were allegedly present. "Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying 'A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,'" Heard told NBC News in reference to the reported smear tactics Lively says she endured. "I saw this firsthand and up close. It's as horrifying as it is destructive."
Baldoni has denied any wrongdoing, with his lawyer, Bryan Freedman, characterizing Lively's complaint as an attempt to "fix her negative reputation" following rumored tensions on set. Freedman also described the lawsuit as "false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt." Baldoni, who helmed and starred in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel, has reportedly been dropped by his talent agency WME in the aftermath of the scandal.
In her lawsuit, Lively asserts that production producer Jamey Heath also participated in sexual harassment. She further contends that Baldoni made offhand remarks about his purported porn addiction, showcased nude images of other women, and frequently commented on her body. The tension escalated to the point where Lively and her husband demanded "crisis talks" during filming, requesting "no more adding of sex scenes, oral sex or on camera climaxing by BL [Blake Lively] outside the scope of the script BL approved when signing onto the project."
Amid the legal storm, celebrities have started taking sides. Notables like Gwyneth Paltrow, Amy Schumer, and director Paul Feig-who worked with Lively on A Simple Favor-are said to be standing by the Gossip Girl star. Meanwhile, some in the industry have expressed their skepticism, hinting at rumors that Lively's alleged "diva-like" behavior contributed to on-set strife.
Amber Heard's decision to speak out underscores the resonance Lively's lawsuit has across Hollywood. Heard, 38, famously accused her former husband Johnny Depp of sexual assault during his $50 million defamation suit against her in 2022. A jury ultimately awarded Depp $15 million in damages, later reduced, while Heard was ordered to pay $10.35 million. Despite both appealing the verdict, the ex-couple agreed to a settlement that ended the litigation, with Heard paying $1 million to Depp.
Heard's experiences parallel what Lively describes as a meticulously orchestrated campaign designed to undermine public perception. When asked about Baldoni reportedly hiring Depp's onetime PR manager Melissa Nathan, Heard reiterated the power of social media to transform perception: "It's as horrifying as it is destructive." Although Nathan's representatives have disputed claims she played any role in a smear campaign, rumors persist that Baldoni followed a similar path to Depp's defense strategy during his high-profile trial.
Legal experts note that Lively's claims of sexual harassment and reputational sabotage could have significant financial and career ramifications for everyone involved. Baldoni, previously best known for his role on Jane the Virgin, had been building a reputation as a rising filmmaker. But in light of Lively's legal filing, some executives have distanced themselves from him. Those behind It Ends With Us worry the scandal might overshadow Colleen Hoover's beloved novel and hamper any promotional efforts for the movie.
For Heard, the opportunity to support Lively is personal. She filed for divorce from Depp in May 2016 after a year of marriage, alleging domestic abuse-claims Depp vehemently denied. Over the years, Heard has spoken about the severe impact of negative media campaigns. Now living in Spain with her three-year-old daughter, Oonagh Paige, Heard announced on December 5 that she is expecting her second child. The actress remains resolute in using her platform to address issues of harassment, defamation, and social media influence.
Baldoni's legal team rejects all the allegations in Lively's complaint. Freedman insists Lively's decision to sue was spurred by "diva" rumors that harmed her public image. However, Lively's supporters assert the claims are rooted in genuine workplace grievances that highlight the entertainment industry's struggle to address sexual harassment.
