Blonde bombshell, actor superstar Blake Lively ended 2024 with a bang. After starring in the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s award winning novel “It Ends With Us”, Lively filed a lawsuit against her co-star, Jane the Virgin lead, Justin Baldoni, for unwanted sexual actions.

“It Ends With Us” was set to begin filming in May 2023, but production was paused due to the Writer’s Guild of America strike. According to Lively, the disturbing sexual behavior from Baldoni occurred during this time (the first stretch of filming). Lively, trying to stay professional, returned to set after production resumed stating that she “attempted to address and resolve the problems on set.” Unfortunately, Lively’s efforts were to no avail. The inappropriate behavior of Baldoni and his company’s producer, Jamey Heath, continued. It got so bad that on January 4th, 2024 Baldoni, Heath and Lively attended a meeting discussing the problems on set, resulting in the administration of the Protections for Return to Production. These set of rules would allow for Lively and others to feel comfortable in the work environment.
Shortly after, the New York Times wrote an article about this unfolding legal battle. They took Lively’s side and dragged Baldoni and Heath’s names through the mud. This did not sit right with Baldoni, as he thought the prestigious news company had the information wrong and were invading his privacy. In an effort to set the story straight and clear his name, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against the New York Times, stating that he never participated in nor will ever try to commit these carnal acts.

Lively vs. Baldoni
This is where things took a turn. Baldoni and Lively’s once professional relationship was now a battle to make the other look guilty. Every interaction between Baldoni and Lively since the beginning of filming had been used to incriminate one another, even ones that may have seemed innocent were now being twisted to look like evidence. In the midst of this disaster, people start responding: cast mates from the movie began picking sides, Baldoni got dropped from his talent agency, and even his co-host on his podcast decided to drop out. As these dueling lawsuits drag on, worried fans and hungry news outlets are left with lingering questions. What is actually true? Who is actually in the wrong? When will this all be over? Amidst all the drama, lies, and gossip, there is only one thing that remains true, it most definitely did not end with them.
What do you think about the legal tension between Lively and Baldoni? Let us know @VALLEYmag on X!
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