Actor Ryan Reynolds breaks his silence on social media following recent controversy surrounding his wife, Blake Lively, and her "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni.
According to Daily Mail, Reynolds posted a Christmas charity campaign video on Instagram, hinting at personal struggles while admitting he filmed during a time he "really didn't feel like putting the suit on."
The Deadpool star's post comes just days after Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni in the California Civil Rights Department. The lawsuit alleges that Baldoni created a toxic workplace environment and engaged in inappropriate behavior during the film's production, claims which he has strongly denied.
The lawsuit details multiple instances of alleged misconduct, including claims that Baldoni showed Lively nude videos of other women and made inappropriate remarks about her weight and late father.
Court documents obtained by People magazine also allege that Baldoni "improvised physical intimacy" during scenes without prior discussion or choreography.
The legal complaint further states that Baldoni attempted to add gratuitous sexual content to the film, including scenes involving nudity, without Lively's consent. When Lively raised objections, Baldoni allegedly defended the changes by claiming they were added because he was crafting the story "through the female gaze."
Producer Jamey Heath is also named in the lawsuit, accused of contributing to the toxic environment by pressuring Lively to simulate nudity during a childbirth scene and showing her graphic videos without consent.
Messages included in the legal filing suggest that Baldoni's crisis management team developed plans to target Lively's reputation. Crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, hired by Baldoni, stated in one exchange:
Of course - but you know when we send over documents we can't send over the work we will or could do because that could get us in a lot of trouble. We can't write we will destroy her.
The communications between Baldoni's publicity team reveal discussions about potential strategies to discredit Lively, including plans to plant negative stories about her being difficult to work with. These messages emerged after Lively had raised concerns about workplace conditions during filming.
Reynolds' apparent show of solidarity with his wife comes amid reports that he had blocked Baldoni on Instagram months before the lawsuit was filed. Text messages revealed in the court documents show Baldoni expressing concern about this development to his publicity team in May.
The situation has garnered attention from others in the industry, with various celebrities and industry professionals speaking out in support of Lively. The lawsuit has also led to professional consequences for Baldoni, including the revocation of a women's rights award following the allegations.
Legal proceedings are expected to continue as both parties prepare their cases. The lawsuit seeks various remedies, including implementation of workplace safety measures and accountability for the alleged harassment and retaliatory behavior.
Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, filed on December 20, 2024, in the California Civil Rights Department, centers on allegations of sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment during the production of "It Ends With Us." The case has sparked significant industry discussion about workplace safety in Hollywood, with Ryan Reynolds showing subtle support through social media while maintaining privacy around the sensitive legal matter.
