Lively and Baldoni Engage in Legal Feud Amidst Allegations of Harassment

Both actors have filed lawsuits against each other, with Lively accusing Baldoni of harassment and a scheme to damage her reputation, while Baldoni targets The New York Times for libel, claiming they misrepresented the situation.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are caught in rising tensions as they file competing lawsuits stemming from allegations arising during the filming of "It Ends With Us." On Tuesday, Lively launched a legal case in New York against Baldoni and his publicity team, accusing them of sexual harassment and orchestrating a campaign aimed at undermining her public image. In retaliation, Baldoni has filed his own lawsuit against The New York Times, the outlet that first reported Lively’s claims, asserting that journalists collaborated with her to tarnish his reputation while disregarding evidence contrary to her accusations.

The New York Times has firmly rejected Baldoni's allegations, stating that their report was thoroughly researched and fact-checked. Lively's lawsuit mirrors many assertions found in her initial civil rights complaint filed in California in December. She seeks unspecified compensatory damages, which include compensation for "lost wages" as well as for "mental pain and anguish."

Conversely, Baldoni's suit demands $250 million in damages and accuses The New York Times of libel and fraud. He alleges that the outlet embellished facts by relying on selective communications taken out of context. His legal representatives have claimed that a "smear campaign" against Lively was initiated as part of a plan to improve her faltering public image.

In her claims, Lively details a troubling meeting designed to address allegations of harassment, where she purportedly presented 30 demands to mitigate the issues, such as limiting inappropriate discussions on set. She asserts that following this meeting, Baldoni's team initiated a systematic effort to damage her credibility, including manipulation on social media.

Representatives for both stars and The New York Times have been approached for comments regarding the situation. "It Ends With Us," which premiered last summer, features Lively as a woman entangled in a relationship with an abusive partner, portrayed by Baldoni. The film is an adaptation of a popular novel by Colleen Hoover, inspired by the author's personal experience with domestic abuse.