Blake Lively demands gag order after Justin Baldoni releases unedited ‘It Ends With Us’ clip
Blake Lively’s legal team has asked for a restraining order against attorney Justin Baldoni as the “It’s Over” co-star’s legal battle continues to heat up.
Lively’s team criticized Bryan Freedman for making multiple statements to the media that could ultimately taint a jury if the actress’ sexual harassment complaints against Baldoni make it to court.
“As Ms. Lively’s attorneys have repeatedly tried to warn Mr. Freedman, federal disputes must be conducted in court and in accordance with the relevant rules of professional conduct,” according to the letter obtained by Fox News Digital. “His conduct threatens to, and will, materially damage both the Lively case and the Wayfarer case by tainting the jury, because his statements are deliberately aimed at undermining the ‘character, credibility, [and] reputation’ of numerous relevant parties.”
The letter, filed Jan. 21, cited examples of Freedman’s previous statements and included the release of unedited footage from “It Ends With Us.” Both Lively and Baldoni claimed that the footage supported each of their claims.
Blake Lively’s legal team has sent a cease and desist to Justin Baldoni’s lawyer as they seek a gag order from a judge. (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images | Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Sources close to Baldoni believe it is grossly unfair to impose a restraining order after the “Jane the Virgin” star was allegedly defamed by the New York Times in an article they say cost him three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars. All Baldoni wants to do, the source said, “is release videos and text messages to prove the allegations are false.”
The source adds that it’s “unbelievable” that Lively would launch a campaign to remove Baldoni, then immediately turn around and say she wants a restraining order so the actor can’t defend himself.
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“[Justin Baldoni’s lawyer’s] conduct threatens to, and will, materially damage both the Lively case and the Wayfarer case by tainting the jury, because his statements are deliberately aimed at undermining ‘the character, credibility, [and] reputation’ of numerous relevant parties.”
Blake Lively’s legal team claims that “attorney Justin Baldoni’s conduct threatens to, and will, materially damage both the Lively case and the Wayfarer case by tainting the jury.” (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
After submitting his A $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, Baldoni’s video — shared by his attorney and obtained by Fox News Digital — reportedly addresses the actress’ claims about the slow dance scene.
Lively claimed Baldoni “leaned forward and slowly moved his lips from her ear and down her neck while saying ‘she smells so good'” while filming a slow dance montage scene, according to her Dec. 20 sexual harassment complaint filed with Fox News Digital. “When Ms. Lively later objected to this behavior, Mr. Baldoni’s response was, ‘I’m not even attracted to you.'”
WATCH: JUSTIN BALDONI RELEASES UNMONITORED ‘BREAKING UP’ VIDEO ON BLAKE LIVELY
However, Baldoni insisted the comment was made in regards to Lively’s own admission about her spray tanning. In the entire video, nearly 10 minutes of raw footage, Baldoni directs the scene as Lively engages him in conversation as he declares it’s “more romantic” than just staring at each other. As Baldoni nuzzled into Lively’s neck, the actor jokingly asked, “Will I get your beard today?” She laughed and said, “I’m probably blacking you out.”
Baldoni then stated, “It smells good,” to which Lively replied, “Well, it’s not that. It’s my body makeup.”
The videos “recorded on May 23, 2023 clearly contradict Ms. Lively’s characterization of his behavior,” according to a statement shared at the beginning of the footage. “The scene in question is designed to show two characters falling in love and longing for intimacy. Both actors clearly behave well within the confines of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism. These are all three shots taken in sequence.”
A source close to Baldoni says it’s “unbelievable” that Lively would launch a campaign against the actor, then immediately turn around and say she wants a gag order so he can’t defend himself. (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
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Livelyn’s legal team claimed the unedited video was “damning evidence” and “corroborates” her allegations of sexual harassment.
“Justin Baldoni and his attorney may be hoping this latest stunt will outweigh the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is damning. Every frame of the released footage fully corroborates what Ms. Lively described in paragraph 48 of her complaint,” he said. Lively’s legal team said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning toward Ms. Lively, trying to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, puckering her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and it’s out of character to talk to her.”
Blake Lively has accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” (Getty Images)
“Every moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni without prior discussion or consent, and without an intimacy coordinator present. Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively’s actress, but also director, studio manager, and Ms. Lively’s boss.”
They added: “The video shows Ms Lively leaning over and repeatedly asking the characters to just talk. Any woman who has been touched inappropriately in the workplace will recognize Ms Lively’s discomfort. She will recognize her flippant attempts to deflect unwanted touching. No woman would should have taken defensive measures to avoid the employer touching her without her consent.”
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are suing each other in federal court. (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
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Vividly detailed allegations of sexual harassmentretaliation, intentional infliction of emotional pain, negligence and more by Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath in a complaint filed first with the California Department of Civil Rights and later in federal court.
Some of the issues allegedly discussed at the “all hands” meeting before filming began included no more showing Lively nude videos or pictures of women, no more mention of Baldoni’s past “pornography addiction,” no more discussion of personal experiences with sex, no more descriptions of her own genitalia, no more adding sex scenes beyond what was in the original script, no more discussions about Lively’s weight or her deceased father, and more.
Blake Lively poses on the red carpet for the London premiere of “It Ends With Us.” (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
However, Baldoni insisted that Lively had “falsely” accused him in an attempt to repair her reputation following the fallout over the film’s press tour after she took control of the film.
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