Blake Lively Says Justin Baldoni’s Smear Campaign Cost Her 'SNL' Gig; Co-Stars Defend Her
Hollywood star Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni of smearing her reputation, citing the SNL gig as one of the key opportunities lost.
Hollywood star Blake Lively has disclosed that she missed out on hosting the Season 50 premiere of Saturday Night Live due to alleged harassment by her ‘It Ends with Us’ co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, according to Variety.
In a complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department, Lively accused Baldoni of smearing her reputation, citing the SNL gig as one of the key opportunities lost.
Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni
“The effects on Ms. Lively’s professional life were immediate and substantial,” the filing stated. “Given the ongoing nature of the campaign and the associated negative public sentiment, Ms. Lively did not believe she could proceed with public appearances or events without being forced to openly discuss what happened on set.”
The complaint detailed how Lively withdrew from a critical Target corporate event for her hair care line and backed out of hosting SNL’s milestone season opener in September 2024.
The filing also revealed a January 2024 meeting, after Hollywood labor strikes ended, where Lively alleged Baldoni made inappropriate comments about her weight, shared explicit details about his personal life, and pressured her to disclose religious beliefs.
Additionally, Jamey Heath, ‘It Ends with Us’ producer and CEO of Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, allegedly showed Lively a video of his wife giving birth, further exacerbating the toxic environment.
Text and email exchanges between Lively, Baldoni, and his team referenced in the filing suggested that if tensions between the co-stars surfaced publicly, they would retaliate by tarnishing Lively’s reputation.
Blake Lively’s ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ co-stars — America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel — have voiced their support for her following allegations of sexual harassment against Justin Baldoni during the filming of ‘It Ends With Us’.
The trio, who starred alongside Lively in the 2005 hit, have publicly stood by her as she pursues legal action.
‘Barbie’ star America Ferrera took to Instagram to share a joint statement with Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel said, “As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation."
“Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice," the statement mentioned.
“We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment. We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others," they added.
About It Ends With Us
‘It Ends With Us’—the highly anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel—seemed to have a seamless journey to success. Starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, the romantic drama captivated audiences, grossing $350 million globally and earning a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, behind the scenes, tensions simmered. Rumors of on-set friction and personal conflicts persisted, culminating in Blake Lively’s December 2024 lawsuit against Baldoni, which cast a shadow over the film’s triumph.
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