Justin Baldoni has taken a bold step by releasing unedited footage from his film “It Ends With Us” to counter the sexual harassment allegations made by his co-star, Blake Lively. On January 21, 2025, Baldoni’s legal team shared a 10-minute video, which showcases the two actors during a slow dancing scene, directly addressing Lively’s claims that Baldoni behaved inappropriately.
The video, which was recorded in May 2023, begins with a disclaimer stating that Lively accused Baldoni of inappropriate conduct during the scene. According to the release from Baldoni’s lawyers, the footage disproves her assertions. They emphasized that the scene highlights two characters developing a romantic bond, illustrating a respectful and professional interaction between the actors.
In the footage, viewers see Baldoni, 40, and Lively, 37, engaging in light banter while filming at a bar, where extras in the background cheered for a game. Both actors can be heard discussing their spouses, Ryan Reynolds and Emily Baldoni, and Lively even mentioned that talking while dancing added a more romantic touch to the scene.
The clips show a playful dynamic between the two, with Lively joking about Baldoni’s nose and suggesting he might need surgery, to which Baldoni humorously responded. They maintained a comfortable rapport during the scene, with Baldoni gently caressing Lively’s neck and kissing her forehead.
This release comes in the wake of Lively’s lawsuit filed in December 2024, in which she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on set. She claimed that during a slow dance for a montage scene, Baldoni leaned in closely and allegedly made an inappropriate remark. Lively also accused him of showing her explicit imagery and discussing his personal sexual history, asserting that a meeting was convened to address his conduct.
Baldoni’s lawyer condemned Lively’s claims as unfounded and damaging, stating that they painted a false narrative of his client. Last week, Baldoni responded to the ordeal by filing a $400 million defamation lawsuit against both Lively and her husband, claiming they attempted to manipulate the production’s direction. His team described Lively’s accusations as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation.
Lively’s legal representatives countered by labeling Baldoni’s lawsuit as a typical move by an abuser seeking to discredit the victim. They maintained that Lively had substantial evidence to support her claims of harassment and retaliation.
Additionally, Baldoni has launched a separate $250 million libel suit against a major publication for allegedly misrepresenting the context of the events surrounding Lively’s accusations. In his legal actions, Baldoni asserts that he has substantial evidence contradicting Lively’s statements, reiterating his commitment to transparency in the face of serious allegations.
As this high-profile legal battle unfolds, it captures intense public interest and raises critical discussions about behavior on film sets, the complexities of consent, and the broader implications of such accusations in Hollywood.
