Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Responds to Blake Lively Claims, Says Actor Received 'Threats by Two Extremely Powerful People'

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Baldoni; Blake Lively.Photo:Stewart Cook/Shutterstock; Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Stewart Cook/Shutterstock; Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Justin Baldoni’s lawyer is speaking out in the wake ofBlake Lively’ssexual harassment complaintagainst herIt Ends with Uscostar and director.

In a statement shared on Monday, Dec. 23, lawyer Bryan Freedman addressed Lively’s claims that Baldoni’s crisis publicists rana smear campaign against herthat damaged her reputation and businesses.

Justin Baldoni attends the “It Ends With Us” New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on Aug. 6, 2024 in New York City.Gotham/WireImage

Gotham/WireImage

Rumors of a rift between Lively and Baldoni sparked as the cast embarked on the official press tour for the movie. Baldoni did most of his press solo and did not pose for pictures alongside the cast atthe film’s New York premiere. Fans were also quick to spot that Lively, Hoover, and Lively and Baldoni’s costarJenny Slatedo not follow Baldoni back on Instagram.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the ‘It Ends With Us’ premiere on Aug. 6, 2024.Getty Images

Getty Images

Lively’s complaint, a precursor to filing a discrimination lawsuit in California, alleges that Baldoni engaged in misconduct during the production ofIt Ends with Usincluding showing her explicit images and videos, asking her about her personal sex life and attempting to add intimacy scenes to the film that she had not originally agreed to, PEOPLE previously reported.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Aseries of private text messagesused as an exhibit in the complaint allegedly shows Baldoni texting and emailing with PR executive Jennifer Abel and Nathan as they planned, what Lively claims, was a smear campaign meant to “destroy” her reputation.

Freedman denied Lively’s allegations in a statement to PEOPLE on Dec. 21, calling them “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt.”

After filing her complaint, Lively issued a statement to theNew York Times, saying, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”

Several celebrities have rallied behind Livelyto support her, including her formerThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantscostars —America Ferreira,Amber TamblynandAlexis Bledel— who put out a jointInstagram statement, writing, “We stand with her in solidarityas she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.”

source: people.com