In a dramatic twist to the premiere of It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively,
accusing her of creating an uncomfortable and hostile environment during the event in August 2024.
The actor and director, known for his role in Jane the Virgin, claimed that he and his family were unfairly confined to a windowless basement at the premiere, away from Lively and her guests,
adding a new layer to the ongoing tensions surrounding their professional collaboration.
The lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday, paints a vivid picture of Baldoni’s experience on what was meant to be a celebratory night for the actor.
Instead, Baldoni alleges that he was “ushered” into a makeshift holding area
that was surrounded by concession stand supplies and equipped with fold-out tables and chairs arranged in a square. The space, which lacked windows and felt more like a storage room than a celebratory venue, was reportedly designed to keep Baldoni away from Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and other VIP guests.
Baldoni shared an image of himself and his family smiling in this basement-like environment, with pallets of Dasani water bottles visible in the background. Despite the humble setting, he and his loved ones posed for a photo, which Baldoni later referenced in the lawsuit as a symbol of the absurdity of the situation. According to the lawsuit, Baldoni was not only excluded from the main event but also prevented from interacting with Lively and her guests in any meaningful way.
Exclusion from the Main Event and the After-Party
What followed at the premiere only fueled speculation about a deeper feud between the two stars. Baldoni did not take any photos with Lively or their co-stars, which led fans to question whether there was underlying tension. This speculation was further heightened when Baldoni claimed that he was excluded from the “official” after-party, which was reserved for the “celebrity” attendees. In response, Baldoni reportedly organized his own after-party, separate from the one hosted by Lively and Reynolds, to avoid further discomfort.
The lawsuit also highlights financial tensions, with Baldoni claiming that his production company, Wayfarer Studios, had to cover the costs for two separate events—one for Lively and the other for Baldoni’s own team, friends, and family. This division of resources only added to the strain between the parties involved, making the premiere a far cry from a smooth, collaborative event.
Blake Lively’s Legal Team Responds
In response to Baldoni’s legal filing, Blake Lively’s legal team issued a strong rebuttal, accusing Baldoni of attempting to shift the blame in a manipulative manner. They labeled his lawsuit as “another chapter in the abuser playbook,” accusing him of employing a psychological tactic known as DARVO—Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. Lively’s attorneys argued that Baldoni’s claims were part of an effort to discredit her, painting him as the victim despite the evidence in her complaint.
This legal battle, however, is not limited to the premiere incident. In December 2024, Lively filed her own complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and participating in a social media smear campaign against her. Baldoni’s countersuit also includes a $250 million defamation case against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively’s allegations, which the newspaper stands by as “meticulous.”
The Impact on Their Professional Relationship
The legal feud between Baldoni and Lively has cast a shadow over their professional collaboration on It Ends With Us. While the film, based on the popular novel by Colleen Hoover, is set to be a major release, the behind-the-scenes drama has captured more attention than the film itself. Fans have been left questioning the future of the relationship between Baldoni and Lively, both professionally and personally.
In the midst of the lawsuit, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has expressed confidence in his client’s case, claiming that the lawsuit includes substantial, untampered evidence. Freedman also suggested that the legal struggle would ultimately be one that Lively would regret, adding another layer of tension to the already high-profile conflict.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, it is clear that the premiere of It Ends With Us was far from the glamorous event it was intended to be. With both parties embroiled in legal drama, the film’s success may now be overshadowed by the personal and professional fallout between two of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Whether or not the conflict can be resolved amicably remains to be seen, but for now, the dispute continues to grab headlines, adding another chapter to the saga of celebrity feuds.
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