Blake Lively has fiercely criticized The Hollywood Reporter (THR) for what she describes as a “sexist trope” in its recent cover story about her legal dispute with Justin Baldoni. 

The Gossip Girl actress, who has accused Baldoni of inappropriate behavior on the set of It Ends With Us, 

took issue with the magazine’s depiction of her as the aggressor in the situation.

The cover illustration portrays Lively holding a slingshot while Baldoni appears to cower behind a copy of It Ends With Us, the Colleen Hoover novel the film is based on. 

Lively and her representatives have condemned this imagery, calling it an attempt to undermine women who come forward with workplace complaints.

Lively Calls Out ‘Outrageously Insulting’ Cover

A spokesperson for Lively strongly rebuked The Hollywood Reporter for its portrayal of the actress in the lawsuit. Speaking to Fox News Digital, they stated, “The Hollywood Reporter should be ashamed of itself. The framing in this picture is outrageously insulting as it plays into every sexist trope about women who dare file a workplace complaint, turning them into the aggressor, and suggesting they deserve the retaliation that comes their way.”

The cover story also raised eyebrows for suggesting that Baldoni’s behavior could be attributed to “cultural misunderstandings.” A press release promoting the article questioned, “What role did the controversial director’s Baha’i religion play on the set of It Ends With Us? Could everything that went wrong with the movie have actually been one big cultural misunderstanding?”

Lively’s team dismissed this characterization as offensive and an attempt to downplay the serious allegations she and other cast members have made.

Legal Battle Escalates

Lively initially filed a legal complaint against Baldoni in December, citing instances of “invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional, and sexually inappropriate behavior” that she and other cast members allegedly experienced while filming It Ends With Us.

Baldoni, who directed and starred in the film, has since countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for civil extortion and defamation, seeking $400 million in damages. His lawsuit, filed in January, accuses Lively of fabricating claims in an effort to repair her own reputation following negative press about the film’s troubled production.

Baldoni’s legal team has argued that Lively “needed a scapegoat” to deflect attention away from production mishaps and claims she attempted to pressure him into issuing a statement taking responsibility for the film’s struggles. When he refused, Baldoni alleges, she waited months before launching her accusations against him.

His lawsuit further states, “But Lively could not tolerate her publicly tainted image for even a moment, and further could not accept that it was entirely of her own making. She needed a scapegoat… she chose to blame Plaintiffs, in a malicious and unforgivably public manner.”

New Testimonies May Strengthen Lively’s Case

As the legal battle intensifies, Lively has reportedly gained support from two additional female cast members who are willing to testify on her behalf during the scheduled 2026 trial.

Legal expert Heidi Reavis told Fox News Digital that these testimonies could significantly bolster Lively’s case. “Having the support of credible witnesses is extremely useful to Lively,” she explained. “In cases involving subjective experience, third-party witnesses can make or break the case. If third-party witnesses can support Lively’s version of events, and especially if Baldoni cannot, she will definitely have the upper hand when it comes to her credibility and the veracity of her claims.”

However, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has dismissed these testimonies as “unsubstantial hearsay.”

The Larger Conversation Around Workplace Harassment

Lively’s public stance against The Hollywood Reporter and her ongoing legal battle with Baldoni have ignited wider discussions about how women in the entertainment industry are treated when they come forward with workplace complaints.

Critics argue that THR’s portrayal of Lively reinforces harmful stereotypes about women who speak out against inappropriate behavior. Many have pointed out that this type of media framing contributes to a culture where women are discouraged from reporting harassment out of fear of being labeled as overreacting or manipulative.

Meanwhile, the case itself continues to draw intense scrutiny, as both sides prepare for what is expected to be a high-profile trial. With new witnesses emerging and both parties firmly standing their ground, the legal dispute between Lively and Baldoni is far from over.

As Hollywood grapples with ongoing conversations about workplace harassment, power dynamics, and accountability, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications beyond the courtroom.

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