Justin Baldoni has filed an amended version of his $400 million defamation suit against Blake Lively, accusing her of giving The New York Times advance access to her sexual harassment complaint. The amended suit claims that the Times started working on its scoop as far back as October, and that Lively’s team was plotting against him for months before she dropped her bombshell complaint against him.
The alleged head-start gave the Times’ staffers time to prep a 4,000-word article with photos, graphics, and excerpts from Lively’s explosive filing, which was submitted to the California Civil Rights department on December 20. The article, which was published the following day, detailed how Lively was hit with a negative PR blitz when she complained about Baldoni’s on-set behavior.
The amended suit also takes aim at a promotional video created for the Times article, which promised its readers: “This story reveals a new playbook for waging a far-reaching and largely undetectable smear campaign in the digital age.” Baldoni’s team says it has proof that the Times started working on its scoop as far back as October, and that Lively’s team was plotting against him for months before she dropped her bombshell complaint against him.
The amended suit includes an updated timeline going back to January 1, 2019, when Baldoni first emailed Colleen Hoover, the author of It Ends with Us, about turning her acclaimed book into a movie. It includes his communications with both Lively and her megastar husband Ryan Reynolds, as well as details of the release and reaction to It Ends with Us, and every development in the ensuing legal battle.
Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 40, gelled beautifully on screen for the 2024 adaptation of Hoover’s acclaimed novel exploring domestic violence and emotional abuse, which became a surprise hit at the box office, grossing $351 million. But dueling lawsuits have since revealed how relations soured as Lively allegedly fought Baldoni for greater artistic control and started to feel increasingly uncomfortable during their intimate scenes.
Lively was the first to file, alleging that Baldoni entered her trailer while she was topless, showed her graphic video of his wife giving birth, and bit and sucked on her lips during an improvised kissing scene. She further accused him of conspiring to smear her reputation, citing a text message from Baldoni’s publicist Melissa Nathan which read: “We can bury anyone.”
Baldoni responded by suing the Times for $250 million, claiming it “relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative, lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims.” The newspaper plans to “vigorously defend against the lawsuit,” per its spokesman.
Next, Baldoni countersued Lively and Reynolds, turning the narrative on its head by claiming it was their team doing the smearing and asking for $400 million in damages. He accused her of twisting the meaning of his texts and emails and working in tandem with Leslie Sloane, a powerful Hollywood publicist, to plant damaging stories about him in the media.
It was all a ploy, Baldoni argued, to rebuild Lively’s reputation after she came in for criticism for being prickly and difficult in interviews and promotional events. Any negative publicity surrounding his blonde leading lady had arisen “organically,” his suit contends.
The feud took yet another explosive twist when DailyMail.com published previously unseen raw video footage of Baldoni and Lively filming a romantic dance scene as their characters Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid. Lively’s suit alleges that Baldoni “leaned forward and slowly dragged his lips from her ear and down her neck as he said, it smells so good” during the interaction.
In the footage obtained by DailyMail.com, the pair are seen engaging in what appears to be playful but professional banter between takes. In the pivotal moment, Baldoni asks Lively if he’s “getting beard” on her. “I’m probably getting spray tan on you” she replies. That prompts Baldoni to say “it smells good” before they both laugh.
Baldoni’s celebrity attorney Bryan Freedman flagged the footage as proof that his client behaved appropriately and had “nothing to hide.” Lively countered that it confirmed her claims of harassment. DailyMail.com further revealed on Friday that Lively’s lawyers want Freedman barred from taking her deposition as well as being slapped with a gag order for making “harassing and retaliatory” comments to the media.
“Parties to litigation simply do not have the right to dictate which of their opponents’ attorneys may or may not take their deposition,” Baldoni attorney Kevin Fritz fired back.
Conclusion
The amended suit filed by Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively and The New York Times alleges that Lively gave the Times advance access to her sexual harassment complaint, allowing the outlet to prep a 4,000-word article with photos, graphics, and excerpts from her filing. The suit claims that the Times started working on its scoop as far back as October, and that Lively’s team was plotting against Baldoni for months before she dropped her bombshell complaint against him.
FAQs
Q: What is the amended suit filed by Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively and The New York Times?
A: The amended suit alleges that Lively gave the Times advance access to her sexual harassment complaint, allowing the outlet to prep a 4,000-word article with photos, graphics, and excerpts from her filing.
Q: When did the Times start working on its scoop?
A: The suit claims that the Times started working on its scoop as far back as October.
Q: What is the purpose of the amended suit?
A: The amended suit is an attempt to prove that Lively’s team was plotting against Baldoni for months before she dropped her bombshell complaint against him.
Q: What is the total amount of damages being sought by Baldoni?
A: Baldoni is seeking $400 million in damages.
Q: What is the current status of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit is ongoing, with both sides continuing to exchange legal filings and allegations.