The allegations in the complaint also mention Baldoni incorporating ‘improvised gratuitous sexual content and/or scenes involving nudity’ into the film, as well as making remarks about Lively’s weight and her late father. She alleges that Baldoni claimed to have ‘spoken to’ her deceased father and exhibited a ‘shocking lack of boundaries,’ along with producer Jamey Heath.
As a result of Baldoni’s alleged conduct on the set, Lively outlined numerous demands that he and others were required to adhere to.
Among these demands was a ban on showing nude videos or images of women, including the producer’s wife, to Lively and her associates.
The former “Gossip Girl” star also insisted on having ‘a representative on set at all times and with a monitor during scenes involving nudity, sexual activity, or violence with Mr. Baldoni.’
Lively expressed to The New York Times: “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.”
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, has rejected the allegations, labeling them as ‘categorically false.’ Freedman has now announced that the director plans to file a countersuit, describing it as ‘a deliberate pursuit of truth.’
In a conversation with PEOPLE, Freedman stated that the lawsuit would expose Lively’s alleged fabrications.
“This lawsuit will uncover and expose the false and destructive narrative that was intentionally engineered by a trusted media publication who relied upon nefarious sources and neglected a thorough fact checking process to confirm the validity of these texts,” he said.
He added: “There is an insurmountable collection of authentic evidence, including timelines and communications, which have not been doctored or spliced without context, unlike the altered [New York Times] story that ran on Saturday, December 21st, 2024.
“The truth will not only come to light — it will dismantle the illusions propped up by those who believe themselves untouchable.”
Freedman also told Deadline: “I am not going to speak to when or how many lawsuits we are filing but when we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative.
“It will be supported by real evidence and tell the true story. In over 30 years of practicing, I have never seen this level of unethical behavior intentionally fueled through media manipulation.”
UNILAD has reached out to Lively’s representatives for comment.
Numerous celebrities have expressed their support for Lively, including Colleen Hoover, the author of “It Ends With Us.”
Amber Heard, who endured a high-profile defamation trial involving her ex Johnny Depp, also commented on the complaint, telling NBC News that she ‘observed this firsthand.’
She remarked: “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’
“I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”