Amid the ongoing high-profile legal battle surrounding the film It Ends With Us, Ryan Reynolds has openly expressed unwavering support for his wife, Blake Lively, who has accused the film’s director Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment. In the weeks following the public release of private messages between the couple and others, Reynolds’ representative confirmed his full backing, highlighting his commitment to defending Lively during this tumultuous period.
Ryan Reynolds Stands Firm Behind Blake Lively in Legal Controversy
Following the unsealing of communications related to Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, Ryan Reynolds has not shied away from his involvement. A spokesperson for the Deadpool star clarified his stance just days after these private texts and emails became public knowledge.
“Yes, Ryan got involved—what husband wouldn’t support his wife and the mother of his children?”
the spokesperson told Puck News on January 27. The rep added,
“He saw his wife fighting daily to stand up against sexual harassment in a private and respectful way, only to face retaliation for doing so.”
Reynolds, who has been married to Lively since 2012, has doubled down on his support.
“If anything, Ryan feels like he wasn’t angry enough,”
the representative said, emphasizing his resolve to defend the right to a safe work environment free from harassment and retaliation for his wife and others “then, now and always.”
While E! News reached out for further comment, Reynolds’ team has not responded. Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni has consistently denied all accusations.
Among the court documents released were reported conversations between Blake and Ryan Reynolds and actors Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso Damon, wherein they discussed reactions to an early screening of It Ends With Us. According to the documents obtained by E! News, Reynolds wryly described the movie on May 17, 2024, as
“one of the all-time zingers on and off set,”
and anticipated a potential future feature about the film’s behind-the-scenes drama, dubbing it part of “legendary Hollywood Insanity.”
The couple also hinted at withdrawing somewhat from the public eye. Ryan whispered,
“We’re about to be off for at least a year and a half. Maybe two years. Maybe forever? Let’s play pickleball,”
suggesting a desire for privacy amid the chaos.
Blake Lively responded candidly with harsh criticisms of Baldoni, accusing him of unprofessional and egotistical behavior:
“The director/costar/producer/financier/head of the studio (yes all one person) had zero experience, but the good news is he also has no taste, and an enormous ego, but only because he’s in a cult and believes he’s our century’s prophet. I wish even one of these things was hyperbole.”
After recounting an incident regarding Baldoni’s alleged inappropriate inquiry into her post-pregnancy weight, Luciana Barroso Damon reacted incredulously,
“Sorry but what the actual f–k?!? He’s dead.”
Initial Complaint Filed by Blake Lively Against Justin Baldoni and Associates
On December 20, 2024, Blake Lively filed a formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) against director Justin Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios, including its executives and public relations representatives. The complaint, reported by The New York Times and accessed by E! News, detailed accusations of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign stemming from concerns Lively and others raised about Baldoni’s conduct on the set of It Ends With Us.
The complaint alleges that Baldoni, his associates at Wayfarer, and publicists engaged in a
“sophisticated press and digital plan in retaliation”
for Lively speaking out. It claims Lively and other cast and crew endured
“invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior,”
resulting in “substantial harm” to Lively’s personal and professional life. Allegations include sexual harassment, retaliation, failure to address misconduct, breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, invasion of privacy, and interference with economic opportunities.
Media Exposure of the Alleged Smear Campaign Against Blake Lively
The day after Lively’s complaint was filed, December 21, 2024, The New York Times published an exposé revealing details of the alleged campaign against her, citing the CRD complaint and incorporating internal messages from Baldoni’s team. The article provided public access to the court documents, further intensifying scrutiny of the case.
Lively responded to the report saying,
“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 added that she hopes it
“helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Legal Defense from Baldoni and Wayfarer Following Allegations
In response to Lively’s claims, Bryan Freedman, attorney for Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives, forcefully denied the accusations. In a statement posted on The New York Times’ website on December 21, Freedman described Lively’s allegations as “serious and categorically false,” accusing her of trying to salvage her reputation after public backlash from her own conduct during promotional activities for the film.
Freedman insisted the claims were
“completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious,”
and argued that the hiring of a crisis manager by Wayfarer had occurred prior to the marketing campaign, with no proactive or retaliatory efforts against Lively. He emphasized that the correspondence cited was “cherry-picked” and only reflected standard internal communications common in public relations strategy sessions.
Talent Agency William Morris Endeavor Ends Association with Baldoni
Subsequent to The New York Times article, talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) cut ties with Baldoni on December 21, confirmed by Ari Emanuel, CEO of the agency’s parent company Endeavor. Reports suggested Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds may have influenced this decision, but WME officially denied such claims. In a January 1 statement to The Hollywood Reporter, WME declared,
“Baldoni’s former representative was not at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere nor was there any pressure from Reynolds or Lively at any time to drop Baldoni as a client.”
Public Reactions from Cast and Other Celebrities Support Blake Lively
Following the media revelations, numerous members of the It Ends With Us cast and other celebrities publicly supported Blake Lively’s allegations. Colleen Hoover, the author of the original book, praised Lively on Instagram, saying,
“@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met”
and urged her to “Never change. Never wilt.”
Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni’s character’s sister, expressed her solidarity:
“As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation. Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
She described the rumored assault on Lively as
“terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening,”
commending her bravery and affirming, “I stand by her side.”
Brandon Sklenar, Lively’s co-star and love interest in the film, encouraged fans to read the legal complaint shared by The New York Times. Additionally, her fellow Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants stars America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn declared their “solidarity” with Lively.
Departure of Podcast Co-Host Associated with Baldoni and Heath
On December 23, 2024, Liz Plank announced her withdrawal from The Man Enough Podcast, which she co-hosted alongside Justin Baldoni and Jamey Heath. In a message posted on Instagram, Plank stated,
“I have had my representatives inform Wayfarer that I will no longer be co-hosting The Man Enough podcast.”
She expressed gratefulness for the community they built but noted this chapter was closing for her amidst the controversy.
Although Plank did not specify her reasons for leaving, her decision closely followed Lively’s complaint filing. She reaffirmed her commitment to values of accountability:
“I will continue to support everyone who calls out injustice and holds the people standing in their way accountable.”
Publicist Stephanie Jones Sues Baldoni and Associates Over Alleged Smear Campaign
On December 24, 2024, Stephanie Jones, Baldoni’s former publicist, along with her agency Jonesworks LLC, filed a lawsuit in New York against Baldoni, Wayfarer, Jennifer Abel, Melissa Nathan, and their companies. The lawsuit alleges Abel and Nathan
“secretly conspired for months to publicly and privately attack Jones and Jonesworks,”
breaching contracts and orchestrating a smear campaign.
The suit claims that Abel and Nathan, acting covertly with Baldoni and Wayfarer, defamed Jones, falsely placing blame for the harassment campaign on her despite her lack of involvement. It further alleges that Jonesworks was unfairly abandoned as a client, and that Jones’s attempts to resolve the conflict privately were rebuffed. E! News sought comment from the defendants but received no immediate response.
Ongoing Court Battles and Legal Maneuvering into Early 2025
Throughout early 2025, legal exchanges intensified. On December 31, 2024, both parties escalated their lawsuits: Lively filed a formal suit against Baldoni, Wayfarer, and associated individuals in New York, reiterating her allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, negligence, and emotional distress. On the same day, Baldoni and his legal team filed a $250 million libel and defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, denying their alleged smear campaign and claiming the media selectively presented communications out of context.
Baldoni’s legal counsel vowed further litigation, hinting at additional suits against unnamed “bad actors,” while also accusing Lively of orchestrating a calculated smear. Meanwhile, Lively’s attorneys emphasized the seriousness of the harassment claims and rebuked the defendants’ efforts to shift blame and discredit her, calling these tactics classic examples of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender).
Legal Teams Clash Over Public Stories and Evidence
Defense attorney Freedman criticized Reynolds’ rumored use of the Deadpool & Wolverine character Nicepool to mock Baldoni, arguing that if this situation involved sexual harassment, mocking would be inappropriate and counterproductive. Meanwhile, Lively’s counsel reported increased attacks against the actress since filing her lawsuit, underscoring the gravity of harassment and retaliation as illegal workplace behaviors.
Both sides exchanged statements accusing the other of orchestrating media attacks and manipulating narratives, with Freedman asserting that Lively’s team used manipulated documents to initiate the public smear. He promised to release evidence demonstrating a pattern of bullying and coercion by Lively towards Baldoni and others.
New Lawsuits Involving Both Parties and Additional Defendants
On January 16, 2025, Baldoni, Wayfarer, and other associates filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, and intentional interference with contracts and economic relations. The suit denied all harassment claims and accused the defendants of “tarring and feathering” Baldoni and Wayfarer to damage their reputations following negative reactions to the film’s marketing.
Freedman accused Lively of either being misled by her team or deliberately misrepresenting facts, while Lively’s legal team labeled the lawsuit part of “the abuser playbook,” emphasizing that such tactics are attempts to silence victims by turning accusations back onto them. Her lawyers argued the evidence would confirm that multiple cast members had negative experiences with Baldoni and that Lively’s involvement in the film’s editing was requested by Sony.
Revelations from Behind-the-Scenes Footage and Voice Memos
In late January 2025, Baldoni’s legal team released behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us. They claimed the footage disproved Lively’s characterization of him and showed “mutual respect and professionalism” during a romantic scene. Conversely, Lively’s attorneys contended the video supported her version, stating it demonstrated her discomfort and that Baldoni improvised actions without prior consent.
Also in January, a seven-minute voice memo allegedly sent by Baldoni to Lively surfaced, where he acknowledged her creative input and apologized for his initial lukewarm response to her script changes. He praised Reynolds and their mutual friend Taylor Swift as
“two of the most creative people on the planet,”
underscoring his regret.
Legal Proceedings and Court Developments in Early 2025
On January 22, 2025, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds requested a court-imposed gag order on Baldoni’s lead lawyer, Bryan Freedman, to prevent improper public commentary during the case. Meanwhile, a trial date for Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni was scheduled for March 9, 2026.
At the end of January, Baldoni amended his lawsuit to include The New York Times as a defendant, accusing the newspaper of “feeding falsehoods” and selectively editing communications to mislead the public. The newspaper strongly denied wrongdoing, affirming the article was based on thousands of pages of documents and asserting their commitment to responsible journalism.
In early February, Baldoni published a website detailing his legal battle, including a timeline and thousands of exchanged texts among the parties involved, fulfilling promises by Freedman to release all relevant documents to the public.
Additional Claims Surface, and Publicist Steps Back From Lawsuit
On February 18, 2025, Lively’s lawyers filed an amended complaint revealing that two other women involved in the production also reported discomfort with Baldoni’s behavior. The identities of these witnesses remain confidential due to ongoing intimidation concerns. Baldoni’s attorney remained dismissive, labeling the allegations as hearsay and noting that the witnesses no longer publicly supported Lively’s claims.
Two days later, Leslie Sloane, Lively and Reynolds’ publicist, requested to be dropped from Baldoni’s lawsuit after being accused of spreading damaging misinformation about the director. Sloane’s attorney argued the claims were baseless, describing her inclusion in the suit as a “smoke and mirrors” tactic aimed to distract from Lively’s own allegations.
Blake Lively Enlists Former CIA Deputy to Strengthen Legal Communications
Also on February 28, 2025, Lively’s team added former CIA Deputy Chief of Staff Nick Shapiro to advise on legal communications for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit. Shapiro has an extensive background in security and crisis management, having worked at Visa, Airbnb, and now running his consulting firm, 10th Avenue Consulting LLC.
The New York Times Seeks to Withdraw from Ongoing Lawsuit
On the same day, The New York Times filed a motion to dismiss itself from the $400 million lawsuit involving Lively, Baldoni, and others. The newspaper argued that it was being embroiled in a dispute not appropriate for their involvement, referencing the “one-sided tale” spun by Baldoni’s team. The motion followed a dismissal of an earlier $250 million suit against the paper.
U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman temporarily paused discovery proceedings related to the lawsuit on March 4, 2025, allowing time to review The New York Times’ motion to dismiss, citing “substantial grounds” and a “strong showing” in favor of the newspaper.
Efforts to Involve Taylor Swift in Legal Matter Stir Controversy
In May 2025, Baldoni’s legal team attempted to subpoena singer Taylor Swift, alleging she had undue influence over the film’s creative decisions through her friendship with Lively. Swift’s representatives quickly refuted these claims, stating,
“Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie,”
and clarified her involvement was limited solely to licensing one song, “My Tears Ricochet.” They characterized the subpoena as a ploy to generate tabloid attention rather than a factual inquiry. Baldoni’s team subsequently withdrew the request.
Judge Dismisses Baldoni’s Countersuit and Lively’s Response
On June 9, 2025, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, Sloane’s company Vision PR, and The New York Times, ruling that the defendants had failed to show evidence supporting defamation or civil extortion claims.
After the dismissal, Lively shared on Instagram,
“Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us. While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.”
She expressed thanks to supporters both known and unknown for standing by her and pledged to continue advocating for others.
Conversely, Baldoni’s attorney maintained that the dismissal did not reflect a victory, reaffirming,
“This case is about false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign,”
accusing Lively’s team of relying on “untraceable” claims due to an absence of proof.
Blake Lively’s Deposition and Courtroom Preparations
On July 31, 2025, Blake Lively underwent a deposition at her legal team’s New York office. Despite media coverage portraying the session as a dramatic face-to-face confrontation with Baldoni, Lively’s attorneys disputed this, filing a motion criticizing such narratives and highlighting that counsel for all parties were present. They accused Baldoni’s team of exaggerating the proceedings to exaggerate their position.
