A recently surfaced audio recording has drawn Scarlett Johansson into the escalating legal conflict between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni regarding their film It Ends With Us. The recording involves filmmaker Claire Ayoub, who captures Wayfarer co-founder Steve Sarowitz praising his experience working with Johansson, contrasting it with his interactions involving Lively.
This unexpected development has intensified the ongoing Scarlett Johansson legal battle, highlighting tensions within this complicated celebrity lawsuit.
Steve Sarowitz Shares Insights on Working with Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively
Steve Sarowitz, known for his role in Wayfarer, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Johansson on her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, released last September. His remarks, recorded by Claire Ayoub and cited by Us Weekly, emphasize his respect for Johansson’s professionalism and composure.
“I love this women’s empowerment. We have another first-time director we supported,”
Sarowitz commented to Ayoub.
Ayoub responded playfully to the mention of Johansson, saying,
“A woman named Scarlett Johansson? I’m so excited for her!”
Sarowitz replied,
“We’re trying to give her her first big break. Maybe people will hear of her after this.”
Elaborating on Johansson’s character, Sarowitz described,
“She was so cool, calm, collected and confident … and nice,”
while contrasting this with his experience with Blake Lively:
“It’s so interesting because you work with so many people. Almost everybody is nice, and then there’s Blake — she is totally different than everyone else. Not to say anything bad about her, but she’s different.”
He added,
“I think for the most part most people see what we are doing, see we’re nice, and they’re nice back. Even if they weren’t perfectly nice. I just think some people forgot to learn how to be nice.”
Background of the Lawsuit and Legal Developments
The recording was reportedly submitted by Lively’s legal team amid a complicated lawsuit. Blake Lively initiated formal legal action in December 2024 against Justin Baldoni, the director of It Ends With Us, accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and lost wages.
Baldoni, 42, responded by filing a $400 million countersuit against both Lively and Ryan Reynolds, though this countersuit has since been dismissed. The trial is scheduled for May 18, 2026.
Notably, Ryan Reynolds, 49, has connections to this web of relationships—he was married to Scarlett Johansson from 2008 to 2011 before marrying Blake Lively in 2012.
Meanwhile, Johansson, now 41, has been married twice since divorcing Reynolds: first to Romain Dauriac from 2014 until their separation in 2017, and then to Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost in 2020.
Allegations from Claire Ayoub and Connections to Wayfarer Productions
Claire Ayoub previously collaborated with both Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer on their 2024 film Empire Waist. In September 2025, Ayoub filed a declaration detailing what she described as repeated negative experiences and verbal abuse from Baldoni and Wayfarer. This tense backdrop layers additional complexity onto the ongoing dispute.
To date, no official statements have been released by representatives for Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, or Scarlett Johansson in response to inquiries by Page Six.
Impact on All Parties and the Broader Legal Contest
This intersection of prominent actors and filmmakers has elevated the dispute beyond a typical celebrity lawsuit, entangling Scarlett Johansson in a legal drama with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The newly surfaced recording offers insight into internal dynamics and personalities involved, especially highlighting contrasting impressions of professionalism and temperament.
As the May 2026 trial approaches, developments like the release of these recordings may influence public perceptions and legal strategies. The outcome could have ramifications for workplace conduct discussions within Hollywood, as well as affect the careers of everyone involved.
