Blake Lively SLAMS Justin Baldoni over uncut video release from It Ends With Us amid harassment claims; states it’s ‘attempts to manipulate the public’

Blake Lively is speaking out after Justin Baldoni released unedited footage from It Ends With Us, claiming it validates her allegations of harassment during filming. Lively’s legal team asserts the video confirms her discomfort with Baldoni’s advances during a scene.

A statement from her lawyers to TMZ reads, “Justin Baldoni and his lawyer may hope this stunt gets ahead of the damaging evidence, but the video itself is damning. Every frame corroborates what Ms. Lively described in Paragraph 48 of her Complaint.”

Blake Lively slams Justin Baldoni for releasing unethical footage from It Ends With Us

The footage reportedly shows Baldoni engaging in unscripted actions, including leaning in, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, and making unsolicited comments like, “It smells so good.” Blake’s team emphasises that none of this intimacy was choreographed or discussed beforehand. “Every moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni with no discussion or consent, and no intimacy coordinator present. He was not only her co-star but also the director, head of the studio, and her employer,” her lawyers said.

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Lively’s legal team claims her visible discomfort in the video, including leaning away and requesting the characters “just talk,” was genuine. They argue, “Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognise Ms. Lively’s discomfort and attempts at levity to deflect unwanted touching. No woman should have to take defensive measures to avoid being touched by their employer without consent.”

Justin Baldoni’s team on the footage

Baldoni’s team, on the other hand, believes the 10-minute footage proves he did not harass Lively. However, her lawyers point to Paragraph 48 of her lawsuit, which describes Baldoni dragging his lips along her neck in a manner unrelated to the script, calling it “caressing with his mouth in a way that had nothing to do with their roles.”

This incident adds to an already contentious legal battle. Baldoni is suing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane for defamation, civil extortion, and other claims, seeking $400 million in damages. Lively countersued for mental anguish and emotional distress, citing allegations of Baldoni showing her explicit photos, discussing his “pornography addiction,” and commenting on her weight.

Lively’s attorneys accuse Baldoni of manipulating public narratives, stating, “Releasing this video to the media rather than presenting it as court evidence is another example of unethical attempts to manipulate the public and continue his harassment.” They reaffirm their focus on holding Baldoni accountable in court.

Also Read: ustin Baldoni’s lawyer SLAM Blake Lively’s sexual allegations; says, “200 pages of undeniable facts…”