Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against her co-star Justin Baldoni, accusing him of "inappropriate and unwelcome behaviour" during the filming of the movie "It Ends With Us." The lawsuit, filed in December, has brought to light a specific scene that Lively claims exemplifies Baldoni's misconduct. In response, Baldoni released nearly ten minutes of behind-the-scenes footage to media outlets such as the Daily Mail and Variety, aiming to counter the allegations.
The controversial scene features Lively and Baldoni slow dancing in a bar, with their audio recorded in the background. Lively's lawsuit highlights this scene as evidence of Baldoni's alleged inappropriate behavior. According to her legal team, the footage captures Baldoni "repeatedly leaning in toward Ms Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character."
"Repeatedly leaning in toward Ms Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character" – Lively's lawyers
Baldoni's team released the footage with captions asserting that it "clearly refutes" Lively's claims. However, Lively's lawyers maintain that the footage only serves to highlight Baldoni's inappropriate actions. They argue that any woman who has experienced inappropriate workplace conduct would recognize Lively's discomfort during the scene.
"Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognise Ms Lively's discomfort" – Lively's lawyers
Baldoni, defending his actions, stated that he was simply acting and that the scene was not meant to be taken literally. He explained that he "just got lost" during the performance and believed there was "no issue with talking most of the time." However, the specific dialogue exchanged during the scene remains unclear due to the recorded audio.
Lively reportedly joked about Baldoni's nose during filming and suggested he consider plastic surgery. Baldoni mentioned his awareness of Lively's frequent conversations with her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
"I know you and Ryan [Reynolds, her husband] talk all the time" – Baldoni
In response to Lively's claims, Baldoni has countersued, accusing her of attempting to destroy his reputation through what he describes as a "duplicitous attempt." The legal battle between the two stars has grown increasingly contentious, with both parties presenting conflicting accounts of their on-set interactions.
The lawsuit not only raises questions about professional boundaries but also highlights the complexities involved in interpreting artistic performances. While Baldoni argues for artistic freedom and interpretation within the context of acting, Lively insists that certain actions crossed personal boundaries and were inappropriate.
Throughout this ongoing legal dispute, both actors continue to defend their positions. Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 40, shared the screen as a couple in "It Ends With Us," a film that gained significant attention upon its release last year. The escalating legal battle serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by actors navigating professional relationships amidst creative endeavors.
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