Justin Baldoni Dropped by Talent Agency Following Blake Lively's Sexual Harassment Lawsuit.
Justin Baldoni has been dropped by his talent agency on the same day that Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against him for sexual harassment, claiming he orchestrated a smear campaign against her.
As of Saturday morning, December 21, Baldoni is no longer represented by WME, as reported by several outlets, including Deadline, which was the first to break the news. The decision to sever ties with Baldoni was influenced by Lively's complaint, which alleges sexual harassment among other accusations.
Lively, who is also a WME client, remains with the agency. WME did not provide a comment when contacted by Lawyer Monthly, and Baldoni's representative has not yet responded to requests for comment. The news of Baldoni's exit from WME follows Lively's complaint, which is a precursor to a discrimination lawsuit in California.
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In her allegations, she describes Baldoni's behavior on the set of It Ends with Us as “invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional, and sexually inappropriate.” The complaint, which surfaced months after speculation about a conflict between the co-stars, details numerous claims against Baldoni, who was involved in starring, producing, and directing the film, as well as other production team members linked to the alleged smear campaign.
The lawsuit states that Baldoni “improvised” kisses and other intimate moments during filming, included “gratuitous sexual content,” and made several inappropriate sexual remarks. Additionally, the complaint claims that Baldoni exhibited a “shocking lack of boundaries” by entering Lively's trailer “uninvited” while she was in vulnerable situations, including when she was breastfeeding her infant.
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The complaint claims that prior to the August release of It Ends with Us, Baldoni, worried that Lively might reveal her negative experiences on set, assembled a team to enhance his credibility and damage his co-star’s reputation. Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, stated that Lively's complaint was an attempt to "repair her negative image."
He further described her allegations as "false, outrageous, and deliberately sensational with the aim of causing public harm." Freedman also accused Lively of creating problems during the film's production, including "threatening to skip set days and refusing to promote the film, which ultimately contributed to its poor performance upon release." In response, Lively shared a statement with The New York Times, expressing, "I hope that my legal action sheds light on these malicious retaliatory tactics aimed at silencing those who speak out against misconduct and helps safeguard others who might be targeted."
The fallout from Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni underscores the serious consequences of workplace misconduct allegations in Hollywood. As Baldoni faces professional repercussions, including losing his talent agency, Lively’s legal action aims to highlight the need for accountability and protection against retaliation, setting a precedent for addressing abuse in the industry.
