What is the story about?
Blake Lively and numerous women linked to It Ends With Us have come together in strong dissent against director and co-star Justin Baldoni following the release
of a significant collection of court documents. These documents unveiled claims of harassment, breaches of boundaries, and creative disputes on the film's set. The disclosures have heightened scrutiny regarding Baldoni's behavior and public persona as a self-identified feminist supporter. Compounding the situation, private messages involving Taylor Swift and Blake Lively have emerged, revealing the pop star's awareness of the situation and her backing of best friend Lively amid the controversy.
It Ends With Us girls testify against Justin Baldoni
As per court documents released on Tuesday, Blake Lively and her fellow cast members recorded ongoing concerns regarding Justin Baldoni’s conduct during filming. Among the most notable testimonies are those from Lively’s co-stars. Jenny Slate, who portrays her best friend in the movie, stated that Baldoni described Lively as “hot” and “sexy,” remarks she deemed inappropriate. Slate mentioned that she raised these comments, believing there was a consensus that such language was unacceptable in a professional environment. “It’s not suitable anymore. It never was suitable, but it’s not suitable in a professional setting,” she testified.
Slate further characterized Baldoni as a “narcissist” and a “fraud,” accusing him of creating a deceptive feminist image. In text messages included in the filings, she expressed, “Justin is genuinely a false ally and I refuse to engage in anything that supports the persona he’s constructing as a ‘male feminist’ … honestly, I have no words to articulate what a fraud he is.” She added, “He’s the biggest clown and the most extreme narcissist.”
Isabela Ferrer, who played the teenage version of Lively’s character, testified that Baldoni made an inappropriate comment while directing a scene where her character experiences losing her virginity. “I’m not supposed to say this, but that was hot,” Baldoni reportedly said. Ferrer noted that the remark felt out of context and inappropriate, especially considering the scene's nature.
Lively also expressed significant concerns about filming a birth scene, during which she was nearly undressed and positioned in stirrups for several hours. She described the experience as “violative and humiliating” and was troubled to discover that the actor portraying the OB-GYN was a friend of Baldoni’s.
Taylor Swift referred to Justin Baldoni as 'b*tch'
The released documents also disclosed text conversations between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively. The messages indicate that Swift was aware of an upcoming December 2024 New York Times article concerning Baldoni, which later escalated into a legal matter. “I think this b*tch (Justin Baldoni) knows something is on the horizon because he’s gotten out his tiny violin,” Swift wrote. The documents further reveal that Lively sought Swift’s assistance during the conflict. On April 13, 2023, Lively reached out, and Swift responded, “I’ll do anything for you!!”
Lively has since filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, the film’s producers, and his publicists for harassment and retaliation. A trial is set for May 18, while a hearing regarding Baldoni’s motion to dismiss the case is scheduled for Thursday (January 22). Judge Lewis Liman has mandated the release of extensive evidence from both parties prior to the hearing, although Baldoni’s documents have yet to be made public.
The unsealed documents illustrate a growing unity among women associated with It Ends With Us.
