Justin Baldoni is preparing to file a counter-complaint that will “shock everyone” in response to allegations made by Blake Lively, who accused him of sexually harassing her on the set of the film It Ends With Us. According to a report from the Daily Mail, Baldoni’s legal team is expected to submit the explosive documents once courts reopen after the New Year’s Day holiday.
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, spoke to Deadline, describing the upcoming legal action as a powerful rebuttal to Lively’s claims. He refrained from disclosing the number of lawsuits that would be filed, but stated that the first complaint would be “shockingly revealing” and aimed at exposing what they claim is a false narrative. Freedman emphasized that the lawsuit would be backed by solid evidence, asserting, “This is going to tell the true story.”
The attorney further accused the media of manipulating the situation, calling the behavior around the case “unethical” and recalling similar high-profile incidents such as the disputes between NBC and Gabrielle Union, as well as Megyn Kelly.
Counter-Accusations and New Allegations
The legal complaint is set to turn the tables on Lively’s allegations. It will argue that it was not Baldoni’s team, but Lively’s own publicist, Leslie Sloane, who orchestrated the negative media coverage regarding harassment claims. The lawsuit will suggest that Sloane, not Baldoni, is responsible for initiating stories about HR complaints on set, which Sloane strongly denies. In response, she told Deadline, “It’s clear that Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are suggesting that I originated press stories about HR complaints on set, which is false.”
Baldoni’s team also plans to claim that Lively’s legal action was a strategic move to rebuild her public image following a wave of negative attention earlier in the year. This occurred during the promotional period for It Ends With Us, which saw the actress face scrutiny over her public statements and press engagements.
As the legal battle unfolds, both parties are preparing for a prolonged courtroom drama that is likely to attract significant public and media attention.
Sources By Agencies
