Justin Baldoni's team has released unedited footage from the set of It Ends with Us that they claim refutes Blake Lively's sexual harassment accusations.
After filing a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, Baldoni's video (shared by attorney Brian Friedman and obtained by FOX News Digital) was released by the actress about a slow dance scene. It is said to be taking up the claims of
Lively said in a Dec. 20 sexual harassment complaint obtained by Fox that while Baldoni was filming a slow-dance montage scene, she “leaned over, said, 'You smell so good,' and slowly… He dragged his lips from her ear to her neck.'' News Digital. “When Ms. Lively later objected to this action, Mr. Baldoni replied, “I'm not even attracted to you.''
However, Baldoni claimed that the comment was made in response to Lively's own admission that she got a spray tan.
Justin Baldoni sues Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400 million over sexual harassment charges
Justin Baldoni has released unedited footage from the set of It Ends With Us. (Jose Perez/Bauer Griffin/GC Images)
WATCH: Justin Baldoni releases unedited 'IT END WITH US' video featuring Blake Lively
The video, which is about 10 minutes of raw footage, shows Baldoni directing the scene and Lively having a conversation with Baldoni, which she said is “more romantic” than just staring at each other.
As Baldoni snuggled into Lively's neck, Lively jokingly asked, “Are you wearing a beard today?” She laughed and said, “I think I'm going to get a spray tan.”
Baldoni then said, “I smell good,” to which Lively replied, “Well, it doesn't. It's because of my body makeup.”
Blake Lively's IT END WITH US co-stars Brandon Slenor and Jenny Slate praise her courage amid lawsuit
“The video below, taken on May 23, 2023, clearly refutes this characterization of Mr. Lively's actions,” said the statement shared at the beginning of the video. “The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and wanting to get closer to each other. The two actors clearly communicated within the confines of the scene that there was a mutual respect. and act professionally and appropriately.”
“These are all three takes of the sequence.”
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of “It Ends With Us” on January 12, 2024. (Jose Perez/Bauer Griffin/GC Images)
“The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and wanting to get closer to each other. The two actors clearly communicated within the confines of the scene that there was a mutual respect. and act professionally and appropriately.”
Lively's legal team argued that the unedited video was “frightening evidence” and “corroborated” her allegations of sexual harassment.
“Justin Baldoni and his lawyers may be hoping this latest stunt will preempt evidence against him, but the video itself is damning. Every frame of the footage released literally , confirms what Ms. Lively said in Section 48 of her complaint,'' Lively's legal team said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. “The video shows Mr. Baldoni leaning toward Ms. Lively multiple times, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking his thumb against her lips, and fondling her. He is seen telling her how nice she smells. He then has an uncharacteristic conversation with her.
“This entire moment was improvised by Mr. Baldoni, without prior discussion or consent, and without an intimacy coordinator present. Mr. Baldoni is not only Ms. Lively's co-star, but also the director. , head of the studio, and also head of 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 at work should , you can see Ms. Lively's discomfort. You can see her trying to be flirtatious to distract herself.” Women should not use defenses to avoid unwanted contact by their employers without their consent.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively filmed It Ends With Us in 2023 and 2024. (Getty Images)
“This matter is pending in federal court. The release of this video to the media rather than presenting it as evidence in court is another example of an unethical attempt to manipulate the public. This is also a continuation of their campaign of harassment and retaliation.''While they focus on misleading media coverage, we urge Mr. Baldoni and his associates to Efforts are underway to require them to take an oath in court. Stunt. ”
“Any woman who has been touched inappropriately at work will notice Ms. Lively's discomfort and will notice her attempts to be flirtatious in an attempt to avoid unnecessary contact. ”
Details of graphic sexual harassment allegationsretaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, Baldoni and film producer Jamie Heath allege in a complaint first filed with the California Department of Civil Rights and later in federal court.
Among the issues said to have been addressed in an “all hands on deck” meeting before filming began: not having Lively show nude videos or images of women, and not mentioning Baldoni's previous “porn addiction”; This included refraining from discussing personal sexual experiences. There are no more depictions of their own genitals, no more sex scenes outside of what was in the original script, no more discussion of Lively's weight or her late father.
But Mr. Baldoni claimed that Mr. Lively made the accusations “unjustly” after he took control of the film in order to salvage his reputation following the uproar surrounding the film's press tour.
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Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
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Baldoni Legal Team Ms. Lively insisted there was no evidence of a deliberate smear campaign and instead sought to restore her reputation by accusing the actors of sexual harassment.
Ms. Lively “could not for one moment tolerate the public tarnishing of her image, much less accept that it was entirely of her own making,” the lawsuit says. There is. “She needed a scapegoat, and rather than acknowledge and take responsibility for her accident, she chose to maliciously and inexcusably publicly blame the plaintiff.”
“When she and Reynolds couldn't get Baldoni and Wayfarer to read the statement they had made to force Baldoni and Wayfarer to 'take accountability' in defense of Lively's actions, she spent months… She waited and prepared to publicly attack Baldoni, falsely claiming that “he had sexually harassed her.'' ”
Justin Baldoni has filed suit against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for civil extortion and defamation. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Lively's team condemned Baldoni's lawsuit in a statement.
“This lawsuit by Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and their associates is another chapter in the abuser's playbook,” a statement from Lively's legal team said. “It's a story as old as time: a woman comes forward with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation, and the perpetrator tries to turn the tables on the victim. This is what experts call DARVO. Denial. Attack. Reverse victim criminal.”
The statement goes on to say, in part, “Their response to the sexual harassment allegations was that she wanted it, that it was her fault. ification: Look at what she was wearing. In short, the victim focuses on the abuse, while the victim focuses on the abuse. ” he continued. Abusers are focused on their victims, and their strategy of attacking women is hopeless and will fail, without denying the evidence in Ms. Lively's complaint. ”
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