Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Is ‘Going to Get Ugly’ for Blake Lively as Hollywood ‘Mostly’ Supports Her

The drama behind the scenes was as fraught as it was onscreen. A year ago, while filming the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel It Ends With Us, Blake Lively met with her director and costar, Justin Baldoni, and their producers to formally discuss his workplace
behavior — which included, she alleged, graphic sex talk and unwanted touching. He also, she claimed, entered her dressing room unannounced while she was nude. Then, in August 2024, they embarked on a controversial press tour, during which Blake was slammed for downplaying the domestic violence in the film and instead using it to promote her hair and alcohol brands.

Finally, on December 20, 2024, the actress filed an explosive complaint to the California Civil Rights Department against Justin and the producers, accusing them of a massive smear campaign to destroy her reputation in retaliation for her exercising her “legally protected right to speak up about their misconduct on the set.”

The fallout was swift. Justin, who once publicly described himself as a proud feminist and a critic of toxic masculinity, was dropped by his agency, WME, on December 21, 2024. His “Man Enough” podcast cohost, journalist Liz Plank, quit, and an award Justin had just received for advocating for women and girls was rescinded. He has denied all of Blake’s claims and filed his own $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, which was the first outlet to report Blake’s “unverified and self-serving narrative,” he alleges. That same day, Blake officially filed a lawsuit reiterating her claims. “It’s going to get ugly for Blake — even now, people don’t believe her — but she risked it all to do what was right,” a source exclusively tells In Touch. “And Hollywood is mostly supporting her.”

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS

Colleen was the first to speak up on the actress’ behalf. “Blake, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” the author wrote on her Instagram Stories on December 21, 2024. “Never change. Never wilt.”

The 37-year-old’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars and longtime friends America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel were next, releasing a joint statement of “solidarity” on December 22, 2024. It Ends With Us actors Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar and producer Alex Saks also voiced support, along with other stars, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Amy Schumer.

And while a few of her former coworkers have remained mum and some fans are still siding with Justin, 40, the support “has meant a lot,” says the source. “Blake has had a reputation for being difficult and unlikable that she’s never fully been able to shake, but even people who aren’t fans now believe she’s been wronged. It’s unfortunate she had to go through a nightmare for that to happen.”