What is going on between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?

Hollywood wraps up 2024 with a scandal involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, co-stars and director of It Ends With Us, the latest film featuring the actress. After months of rumors about conflicts and disagreements between the two due to opposing visions for the movie, Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni just days ago, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation. She alleges that Baldoni and his team orchestrated a “scheme” to “destroy” her reputation. According to the legal complaint, filed on Friday, December 21, with the California Department of Civil Rights and reported by the New York Times, Lively stated that during filming, she raised concerns about “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior by Mr. Baldoni.” She further alleges that her colleague enlisted publicists and crisis managers in a “sophisticated, coordinated, and well-funded plan of retaliation” to “bury” and “destroy” her if she went public about what happened on set. She has also accused the film's producer, Jamey Heath, of sharing Baldoni’s inappropriate behavior, which contributed to the hostile and toxic work environment on set and a “social manipulation campaign” that harmed her career and caused “severe emotional distress” to her family. Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, dismissed Lively's claims as “completely false, scandalous, and intentionally salacious.” The case will now be taken to court, but how did things get to this point? Here's a chronological breakdown of events leading up to the controversy.

July 2019 - Baldoni Acquires the Rights to It Ends With Us

“I’m so passionate about this book and so honored that Colleen Hoover chose me to help bring it to the world,” Justin Baldoni, known for the TV series Jane the Virgin, wrote on Instagram, announcing that he had secured the rights to Colleen Hoover’s novel It Ends With Us to adapt it into a movie.

January 2023 - Cast Announcement for It Ends With Us

On January 26, 2023, it was announced that Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni would star as the leads, Lily and Ryle, in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel. The author expressed excitement over the casting, stating, “Our Lily will be played by Blake Lively—Blake Lively, people! She’s the Lily of my dreams.” She added, “When I first met Justin Baldoni, who is directing the film for us, I immediately wanted him to play Ryle. I thought he was perfect for the role.” Baldoni was also revealed as the film’s director, with Lively serving as an executive producer.

May 2023 - Filming Delayed

Filming began in Hoboken, New Jersey, in May 2023 but was halted shortly after due to strikes by the Hollywood Writers and Actors Guild. The television and film industries in the U.S. were thrown into chaos, with all activities suspended.

January 2024 - Filming Resumes

After the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strikes in July, filming for It Ends With Us resumed in January 2024. The movie was completed without further interruptions, though its release date was pushed back from February 9, 2024, to June 21, 2024, and then to August 9, 2024.

August 9, 2024 - The Film Premieres, and Baldoni Praises Lively

It Ends With Us is released in theaters worldwide. The leading actors appear to be happy with the project. Blake told People that it was an “honor” to play the protagonist: “Lily has resonated with an incredible number of people, as the book's success has made clear. It’s an honor to portray a character that has had such a significant impact. I loved Lily, and I hope that love is felt by those who care for her as much as I do, and also by those who are meeting her for the first time through this film.” Baldoni went even further, describing the film as a work that “truly comes from the heart and the depths of my soul,” and the role of Ryle as something cathartic: “Playing Ryle was actually very therapeutic for me as Justin. Getting to know this character—his depth, his love, his joy, and his darkness—allowed me to work on those parts of myself.” The actor and director also spoke about his co-star, describing her as “strong, funny, and smart—all the qualities you want in a female lead,” adding, “There wasn’t a single part of this production that she didn’t touch or influence. And everything she put her hands and mind to, she made better.”

August 13, 2024 - Rumors of a Feud Arise

Despite the film being a box office success, grossing a total of $351 million worldwide, rumors of a feud between the lead actors began to circulate, fueled by the fact that the two consistently avoided each other during the promotional tour. Blake and Justin did not share red carpets, interviews, or promotional photos. Furthermore, Colleen Hoover, Lively, and other cast members unfollowed Justin on social media. Speculation began to spread. TMZ and other outlets reported claims of fat-shaming towards his co-star, inappropriate comments, and overly long kisses during scenes. An anonymous source told DailyMail.com that: “During scenes depicting abuse, Justin failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, focusing exclusively on what he believed was the violent male viewpoint. His approach was highly chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set.” While there has been no official confirmation, Baldoni hired crisis management and PR specialist Melissa Nathan, the same professional who represented Depp during his defamation trial against Amber Heard.

August 15, 2024 - Lively Criticized for Insensitivity

During the tour, Lively faced accusations both online and offline of being insensitive to the topic of domestic violence and refusing to discuss it, despite it being a central theme in the film. Additionally, Blake Lively was caught in a social media storm, accused of using the film’s promotion to advertise her haircare brand and her husband Ryan Reynolds. Overwhelmed by criticism, the actress’s reputation—once among Hollywood’s favorites—took a significant hit. To counter the backlash, Lively shared a message in her Instagram Stories, stating: “One in four women aged 18 or older in the U.S. has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.” Reportedly, the actress was simply following the official promotional plan for the film, which instructed the cast to focus more on the uplifting aspects of the movie rather than the abuse, with a floral theme to align with this narrative.

December 21, 2024 - Lively Files a Complaint Against Baldoni

On December 21, Blake Lively filed a formal complaint in a California court, a legal action typically preceding the initiation of a lawsuit, against Justin Baldoni. The accusations, backed by evidence, photos, and screenshots, claim that the actor and director repeatedly harassed her on set and crossed boundaries during intimate scenes. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Baldoni allowed his "friends" to watch her sex scenes, added unapproved sex scenes to the film, discussed his past pornography addiction, and showed images and videos of nude women on his phone. It is also reported that at one point during filming, Lively called a meeting to address issues that had “nearly derailed the film’s production,” involving her husband, Ryan Reynolds. To ensure the completion of the film, a full-time intimacy coordinator was brought in, along with other protective measures. Justin Baldoni responded by denying the allegations, calling them “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with the aim of public harm and perpetuating a media narrative.” Additionally, through his lawyers, he described the accusations as a “desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her damaged reputation, which resulted from her own statements and actions during the film’s promotional campaign.”

December 22 - The New York Times Publishes an Investigation Supporting Claims of a PR Campaign to “Bury” Lively

The New York Times published an investigation into the feud between the two actors, presenting evidence of the previously alleged smear campaign organized by Baldoni and his team against Lively. As a result, Baldoni was dropped by WME, the talent agency that had represented him. As the report gained traction, Hollywood stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, America Ferrera, and Amy Schumer began publicly supporting Lively. In a statement, the Gossip Girl star declared: “I hope my legal action helps lift the veil on these sinister retaliatory tactics aimed at harming individuals who come forward about misconduct and helps protect others who might be targeted.” It will now be up to the courts to decide whether Baldoni is guilty of sexual misconduct, harassment, creating an unsustainable and toxic environment on set, or orchestrating a defamation campaign against Blake Lively.