Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni of Using ‘Abuser Tactics’ in $400 Million Lawsuit
The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has escalated dramatically, with Lively’s legal team accusing Baldoni of employing “abuser tactics” in his $400 million lawsuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Lively and Reynolds have been sued for defamation, with Baldoni and his public relations team claiming the actress masterminded a plot to destroy their careers and tarnish their reputations by falsely accusing them of sexual harassment.
The lawsuit claims that Wayfarer Studios, Baldoni’s production company, used its billionaire co-founder’s resources to make media statements, file baseless lawsuits, and threaten litigation to confuse the public about the nature of their actions, which they believe are retaliatory in response to Lively’s sexual harassment claims.
The Allegations: A War of Words
According to exclusive court documents, Baldoni claims that Lively and Reynolds used their celebrity status to take control of the film It Ends With Us, a movie dealing with domestic violence, in which Baldoni both starred and directed. This defamation lawsuit is the latest twist in a growing legal battle that began just before Christmas when Lively sued Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and creating a toxic work environment on set. Baldoni has vehemently denied all accusations.
In response to the defamation lawsuit, Lively’s lawyers issued a strong statement, stating that the latest lawsuit was merely another chapter in what they described as “the abuser’s playbook.”
They explained: “This is an old story: A woman speaks out with specific evidence of sexual harassment, and the abuser tries to reverse the situation with victim-blaming. This is what experts call DARVO: Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender.”
The statement also accused Wayfarer Studios of trying to redirect public attention towards Lively, alleging that she had taken control of the film’s creative direction and driven a wedge between Baldoni and the cast. Lively’s legal team asserts that evidence will show that the cast and others had their own negative experiences with Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.
They went on to claim that Sony had requested Lively to oversee the final cut of the film, and the studio had later chosen to distribute it successfully.
Lively’s Response: A Game of Words and Power
One of the most damning accusations in the legal back-and-forth revolves around Lively’s alleged behavior on set. Baldoni claims that during a filming session, Lively insisted he not attend a screening after the film’s premiere. According to the lawsuit, Lively had made sure Baldoni and his team were escorted to a basement during the premiere on August 6, 2024, and kept them isolated.
The suit claims: “Security acted as though there was a risk of ‘escape,’ escorting Baldoni’s team down to the basement, where they were kept in a makeshift area surrounded by concession booths.”
The lawsuit also highlights Lively’s alleged initial resistance to reading the book upon which the film is based, claiming that she showed a lack of respect for the dark themes of the story throughout the promotional campaign. Notably, she reportedly named a cocktail after the abusive male lead character, a move considered insensitive by many.
Lively has also been accused of refusing to meet with a domestic violence charity that Baldoni had worked with during the film’s promotion.
The Tactics: Abusive Behavior or Just Business?
Lively’s legal team maintains that the tactics employed against her are rooted in classic abuse dynamics. They state: “While the victim is focused on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim. This desperate strategy of attacking the woman is not going to undo the evidence in Lively’s complaint, and it will ultimately fail.”
Despite the high stakes and conflicting narratives, one thing is clear: this legal saga is far from over. With a defamation lawsuit, accusations of harassment, and behind-the-scenes power struggles all at play, both Lively and Baldoni’s teams are preparing for a drawn-out battle.
This story highlights the disturbing reality of how power and celebrity can sometimes be used as weapons in the fight for justice—and how personal vendettas can quickly spiral into public spectacles.
