Blake Lively says new ‘It Ends With Us’ footage…
Blake Lively had a scathing response to Justin Baldoni releasing uncooked footage from the set of their film “It Ends With Us.”
In a assertion offered to The Post, Lively’s legal workforce stated the video that Baldoni, 40, shared on Tuesday “corroborates, to the letter,” her allegations of sexual harassment quite than vindicating him, as his workforce have claimed.
“Justin Baldoni and his lawyer may hope that this latest stunt will get ahead of the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is damning,” the assertion started. “Every frame of the released footage corroborates, to the letter, what Ms. Lively described in Paragraph 48 of her Complaint.”
Justin Baldoni launched new uncooked footage from “It Ends With Us” he alleges exhibits he acted with “professionalism” in the direction of Lively.
In a assertion from her legal workforce issued Tuesday, Lively says she acquired “unwanted touching” from Baldoni.
Lively’s lawsuit alleges that during a “slow dance scene,” Baldoni “leaned forward and slowly dragged his lips from her ear and down her neck as he said, ‘it smells so good.’” In the footage that Baldoni’s lawyer shared on Tuesday, which seems to show the “slow dance scene” in query, Lively might be heard joking that she’s “probably getting spray tan on” Baldoni, who laughs and replies, “It smells good.”
Lively then replies, “Well, it’s not that. It’s my body makeup.”
“The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character,” Lively’s legal professionals continued.
“Justin Baldoni and his lawyer may hope that this latest stunt will get ahead of the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is damning,” the assertion from Lively’s legal professionals stated.
The footage was used as half of a montage in “It Ends With Us.”
In the footage, Lively might be heard joking that she’s “probably getting spray tan on” Baldoni, who laughs and replies, “It smells good.”
“Every moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni with no discussion or consent in advance, and no intimacy coordinator present. Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively’s co-star, but the director, the head of studio and Ms. Lively’s boss.”
The “Gossip Girl” alum’s legal workforce went on to state that the footage is proof that Lively was the sufferer of “unwanted touching” by the hands of Baldoni.
“The video shows Ms. Lively leaning away and repeatedly asking for the characters to just talk. Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognize Ms. Lively’s discomfort,” the assertion stated. “They will recognize her attempts at levity to try to deflect the unwanted touching.”
“The video shows Ms. Lively leaning away and repeatedly asking for the characters to just talk,” the actress’ legal professionals stated.
A title card at first of the “It Ends With Us” footage launched by Baldoni’s workforce.
Lively’s legal professionals added, “No woman should have to take defensive measures to avoid being touched by their employer without their consent.”
The actress’ representatives additionally blasted Baldoni for releasing the footage within the first place, calling it “an unethical attempt to manipulate the public.”
“This matter is in active litigation in federal court. Releasing this video to the media, rather than presenting it as evidence in court, is another example of an unethical attempt to manipulate the public,” the assertion stated. “It is also a continuation of their harassment and retaliatory campaign. While they are focused on misleading media narratives, we are focused on the legal process.”
Blake Lively attends the UK Gala Screening of “It Ends With Us” on the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Aug. 8, 2024 in London, England. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
The assertion concluded, “We are continuing our efforts to require Mr. Baldoni and his associates to answer in court, under oath, rather than through manufactured media stunts.”
Baldoni’s workforce, in the meantime, has promised to create a web site the place they are going to release more videos together with “correspondence” they imagine corroborates their consumer’s claims in opposition to Lively.
Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman informed The Post: “Justin Baldoni and team have nothing to hide. And this video, once more proves this. Justin and team have the right to defend themselves with the truth and this is what we will be continuing to show with the upcoming website containing all correspondence as well as relevant videos that directly quash her claims.”
Lively and Baldoni are seen on the set of “It Ends with Us” on Jan. 12, 2024 in Jersey City, NJ. GC Images
Lively and Baldoni had been caught in a tense dialog on set whereas filming “It Ends With Us” on Jan. 11, 2024. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com
Representatives for the “Jane the Virgin” vet additionally shared a assertion included on a title card on the high of the “It Ends With Us” footage.
“The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another,” the title card learn. “Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism.”
“These are all three takes filmed in sequence.”
Lively and Ryan Reynolds on the “It Ends With Us” New York premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on Aug 6, 2024 in New York City. Variety through Getty Images
Tuesday’s back-and-forth comes on the heels of Baldoni submitting a $400 million countersuit in opposition to Lively, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, after the actress sued him for $250 million, alleging he prompted her to undergo “severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration and mental anguish” along with misplaced wages.
Lively beforehand filed a criticism with the California Civil Rights Commission, by which she claimed Baldoni sexually harassed her whereas making “It Ends With Us.” She additionally spoke about these claims in an interview with the New York Times.
In addition to suing Lively, Baldoni has sued the New York Times for $250 million, for libel and false mild invasion of privateness over the Dec. 21 article on Lively’s sexual harassment allegations.
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