Blake Lively seeks gag order after Justin Baldoni releases unedited ‘It Ends With Us’ footage
Blake Lively’s legal team is calling for a gag order against Justin Baldoni’s attorney as the “It End With Us” co-star’s legal battle continues.
Brian Friedman of Lively’s team accused the actress of releasing too many statements to the media that could ultimately taint a jury if her sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni goes to trial.
“As Ms. Lively’s counsel repeatedly tried to warn Mr. Friedman, federal litigation must be conducted in accordance with the court and the appropriate rules of professional conduct,” according to the letter, obtained by Fox News Digital. “His conduct will, and will, materially prejudice the Lively Case and the Wayfarer Case by tainting the jury pool.
The letter, dated January 21, listed examples of Friedman’s previous statements and included unedited footage from “It Ends With Us.” Both Lively and Baldoni say the footage backs up each of their claims.
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Sources close to Baldoni believe the gag order is grossly unfair after the “Jane the Virgin” star was allegedly defamed by the New York Times, costing him three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars. All Baldoni wants to do is “release videos and text messages to prove the allegations are false,” the source said.
The source added that it was “unbelievable” that Lively, after launching a takedown campaign against Baldoni, immediately turned around and said she wanted a gag order so the actor couldn’t defend himself.
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“(Justin Baldoni’s attorney’s) conduct tainted the jury pool and materially prejudiced the Lively Case and the Wayfarer case, because his statements were intentionally intended to undermine the ‘character, credibility and (and) reputation’ of several involved parties.”
After making his file 400 million dollar lawsuit Baldoni’s video of Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds — shared by his attorney and obtained by Fox News Digital — addresses the actress’ claims about the slow dance scene.
Lively claims Baldoni “leaned forward and pulled his lips from her ear and neck, saying, “It smells so good,”” according to a sexual harassment transcript obtained by Fox News on Dec. 20. Ms. Lively later denied this. When challenged, Mr. Baldoni’s response was, ‘I’m not even interested in you.’
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However, Baldoni explained that the comment was about Lively’s acceptance of her spray tan. Throughout the video, which is nearly 10 minutes of raw footage, Baldoni directs the scene as Lively engages him in conversation because she says it’s “more romantic” than seeing each other. As Baldoni hangs around Lively’s neck, the actor jokingly asks, “I’m growing a beard today?” “Maybe I’ll have some spray tan on you,” she laughed.
“It smells good,” Baldoni continued, to which Lively replied, “Well, it’s not, it’s my body makeup.”
“The videos taken on May 23, 2023 clearly disprove Ms. Lively’s behavior,” a statement shared at the start of the clip reads. The scene in question is designed to show the two actors falling in love and longing to be close to each other. It is said that both actors behave well within the framework of the picture and are in a mutual respect and professional feeling. All three of these are engraved. sequence.”
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Lively’s legal team said the unedited video was “disturbing evidence” and “substantiated” her allegations of sexual harassment.
“Justin Baldoni and his attorney may be hoping this latest incident will preempt the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is sickening. Every frame of the released footage confirms what Ms. Lively said in paragraph 48 of her letter. Lively’s legal team filed her complaint in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning toward Ms. Lively,” he said. It shows him trying to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing her face and mouth on her neck, puckering her lips with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good he smells. And talking to her out of character.”
“Every moment Mr. Baldoni was prearranged without discussion or agreement, and no immediate co-ordinator was present. Mr. Baldoni was not only Miss Lively’s co-star, but director, studio head, and Mrs. Lively. Boss.”
He added: “The video shows Ms Lively turning around and repeatedly asking the characters to talk.” Any woman who has been abused in the workplace will understand the plight of Ms. Lively. No woman should have to take protective measures against being touched by their employer without their consent.
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A live list of allegations of sexual harassmentA complaint filed first with the California Department of Civil Rights and later in federal court by Baldoni and film producer Jamie Heath made allegations of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and more.
Issues allegedly discussed in an “all-hands” meeting prior to filming included not showing Lively nudity or images of women, not mentioning Baldoni’s past “pornography addiction,” his personal conversations with sex, no genitalia, adding sex scenes outside of the original script. Nope, no more discussions about Lively’s weight or deadbeat dad and more.
However, after Baldoni took control of the film, she accused Lively of “falsely” trying to repair her reputation following the fallout surrounding the film’s press tour.
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