Justin Baldoni, the director and co-star of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel It Ends With Us, is facing a second accuser following Blake Lively's sexual harassment complaint. The new allegation emerged as tensions between the film's stars continue to escalate.
In December 2024, Lively filed a 10-claim complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios of sexual harassment and a coordinated smear campaign. The complaint described a hostile work environment, including unsolicited nude videos, discussions of pornography addiction, and unauthorised inquiries about Lively's weight. Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman has called the allegations “completely false.”
The second accuser has not been named, but the claim adds to the legal turmoil surrounding the film. Lively's complaint also alleged that Baldoni and others engaged in “astroturfing” — a fake grassroots campaign — to damage her reputation. Text messages included in the filing appear to show Baldoni and crisis communications specialist Melissa Nathan discussing a plan to “bury” Lively.
Following the accusations, talent agency WME dropped Baldoni, and Liz Plank, co-host of Baldoni's podcast “Man Enough,” quit the project. Support for Lively has come from celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Amy Schumer, and Amber Heard. The film's co-star Brandon Sklenar also defended Lively, urging against vilifying the women involved.
