Ryan Reynolds has openly expressed his unwavering support for wife Blake Lively amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the film It Ends With Us and allegations against its director Justin Baldoni. Following the unsealing of private messages related to Lively’s legal battle, Reynolds’ representatives confirmed his commitment to stand by her as the scandal unfolds in early 2025.
The dispute involves claims of sexual harassment on set and a subsequent alleged smear campaign. Ryan Reynolds supports Blake Lively firmly by publicly reinforcing his belief in her courage and right to a safe working environment free from harassment and retaliation.
Ryan Reynolds Stands Strong in Support of Blake Lively
One week after private communications between Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were disclosed as part of Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, Reynolds’ spokesperson addressed the situation. They emphasized Reynolds’ active involvement and justification for backing his wife.
Yes, Ryan got involved—what husband wouldn’t support his wife and the mother of his children?
the spokesperson told Puck News, as cited by People on January 27, 2025.
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.
The statements reinforced that Reynolds not only supports Lively personally but also passionately advocates for workplace safety and respect in response to the allegations she has raised. Further remarks from his team hinted that Reynolds felt his prior public reactions did not fully express his frustrations.
If anything, Ryan feels like he wasn’t angry enough,
the representative said.
He passionately believes in and will stand up for the basic right to a safe workplace free of harassment and retaliation for his wife and others. Then, now and always.
Attempts to reach Reynolds’ team for additional comment by E! News were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni has consistently denied all the allegations made against him.
Messages Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Conversations About the Film
Among the unsealed documents were texts exchanged between Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and actor Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso Damon. The couple was approached to view an early cut of It Ends With Us during the film’s production.
In messages dated May 17, 2024, Ryan Reynolds described the film’s production as chaotic but notable. He wrote,
This movie has been one of the all time zingers on and off set,
continuing with,
One day, we’ll make a movie about the movie. And we can’t wait to tell you all about it. The stories are already finding their place in the pantheon of legendary Hollywood Insanity.
Reynolds also hinted at the couple possibly stepping back from public life, referencing their four children James, 11, Inez, 9, Betty, 6, and Olin, 2. He added,
We’re about to be off for at least a year and a half. Maybe two years. Maybe forever? Let’s play pickleball.
In reply, Blake Lively shared more candid views about director Baldoni, highlighting frustrations stemming from his involvement in the film’s production. She wrote bluntly about Baldoni’s role, describing it as detrimental.
This movie nearly killed me,
Lively stated. She continued,
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 learning from Lively and Reynolds that Baldoni allegedly made inappropriate remarks about Lively’s weight post-pregnancy, Luciana Barroso responded,
Sorry but what the actual f–k?!? He’s dead.
Blake Lively Files Formal Complaint Alleging Harassment and Retaliation
On December 20, 2024, Blake Lively took legal action by filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) against Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, along with associated executives and public relations representatives. The filing preceded publicly released documents and news reports unfolding the allegations.
Lively accused Baldoni and his associates of engaging in a coordinated press and digital retaliation campaign following her complaints about alleged misconduct during the filming of It Ends With Us. The complaint detailed claims that Baldoni and Wayfarer representatives exhibited unwelcome, invasive, and sexually inappropriate conduct.
The complaint described the consequences Lively faced as both personal and professional harm and listed numerous legal violations, including sexual harassment, retaliation, negligence, breach of contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Media Coverage Unveils Smear Campaign Allegations
The day after the complaint’s filing, The New York Times published a report outlining the retaliatory smear campaign that Lively’s complaint alleged. The report included excerpts of communications between Baldoni’s team, including publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis communications specialist Melissa Nathan, as presented in court filings.
Blake Lively remarked on the coverage, stating,
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,
helps protect others who may be targeted.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Denies All Allegations
Following the public reporting, attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and related parties, issued a forceful denial of Lively’s claims. Freedman criticized the allegations as false and part of an effort to tarnish Baldoni’s reputation, highlighting the lack of legal support for her case.
Freedman stated,
It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, as yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film; interviews and press activities that were observed publicly, in real time and unedited, which allowed for the internet to generate their own views and opinions,
adding,
These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.
Regarding Wayfarer’s decision to bring in a crisis communications manager, Freedman defended the move as proactive and unrelated to any retaliation. He emphasized that internal correspondence was standard public relations practice, stating,
What is pointedly missing from the cherry-picked correspondence is the evidence that there were no proactive measures taken with media or otherwise; just internal scenario planning and private correspondence to strategize which is standard operating procedure with public relations professionals.
Industry Fallout: Talent Agency Ends Relationship with Baldoni
On the same day the New York Times article appeared, Baldoni was dropped by major talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME), a decision confirmed by Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel. Despite speculation, WME denied any influence from Ryan Reynolds in the severance of ties.
The agency stated,
In Baldoni’s filing there is a claim that Reynolds pressured Baldoni’s agent at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere. This is not true,
affirming,
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.
Support Floods in from Co-Stars and Public Figures
The revelations and lawsuits drew responses from fellow actors, authors, and friends, with many rallying behind Blake Lively. Colleen Hoover, author of the book on which the movie is based, praised Lively’s honesty and kindness in public messages on Instagram. Actress Jenny Slate also voiced her support, calling Lively a leader and trustworthy confidante.
Slate stated,
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,
continuing,
Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.
She added,
What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening,
and praised Lively’s bravery,
I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.
Additionally, Brandon Sklenar, who portrayed Lily Bloom’s love interest in the film, urged the public to read the complaint, and members of Lively’s previous film, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants—including America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn—expressed their solidarity with her.
Departure of Podcast Co-host Amidst the Controversy
Amid mounting pressure, Liz Plank announced her exit from The Man Enough Podcast, which she co-hosted with Justin Baldoni and Jamey Heath. On December 23, Plank shared her decision via Instagram, expressing sorrow but an ongoing commitment to justice and accountability.
I’m writing to you today to let you know that I have had my representatives inform Wayfarer that I will no longer be co-hosting The Man Enough podcast,
Plank wrote. She expressed deep gratitude for the community built and hinted at ongoing reflections on the circumstances surrounding her departure.
She continued,
As this chapter closed for me, I remain committed to the values we’ve built together,
and,
I will have more to share soon as I continue to process everything that has happened. In the meantime, I will continue to support everyone who calls out injustice and holds the people standing in their way accountable.
Lawsuits Multiply Between Baldoni, Lively, and Associates
The legal battles expanded rapidly as former Baldoni publicist Stephanie Jones filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer, Jennifer Abel, and Melissa Nathan on December 24, alleging covert attacks and contract breaches orchestrated by the defendants against her and her agency.
Defendants Abel and Nathan secretly conspired for months to publicly and privately attack Jones and Jonesworks, to breach multiple contracts and induce contractual breaches, and to steal clients and business prospects,
states the suit obtained by NBC News. The complaint also claims a smear campaign against Lively was secretly coordinated while falsely blaming Jones.
Meanwhile, Lively’s legal team revealed that they obtained key text messages via subpoena to Jonesworks, prompting Freedman to threaten to sue Jones for leaking those communications.
On December 31, 2024, Baldoni and associated defendants filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the outlet of libel and breach of contract. They argued the newspaper relied heavily on unverified claims from Lively’s complaint and ignored exculpatory evidence.
Despite its claim to have ‘reviewed these along with other documents[,]’ the Times relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative,
the lawsuit stated, adding,
it was Lively, not Plaintiffs, who engaged in a calculated smear campaign.
The New York Times responded by affirming its commitment to factual journalism, declaring,
The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead,
and emphasizing thorough review of thousands of pages of records.
In parallel, Blake Lively filed a civil lawsuit in New York against Baldoni and others, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, negligence, and emotional distress, mirroring the claims of her earlier CRD complaint.
Her attorneys responded to Baldoni’s lawsuit against the Times stating,
nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims
in Lively’s complaints, and countering allegations that her actions were a smokescreen rather than a serious legal pursuit.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Signals Further Litigation
On January 2, 2025, Freedman indicated that Baldoni and his associates were not finished with legal actions, warning of more lawsuits targeting other involved parties. He conveyed this stance during an NBC News interview.
Days later, Freedman criticized online rumors suggesting Ryan Reynolds mocked Baldoni in the film Deadpool & Wolverine. He said,
What I make of that is that if your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make fun of Justin Baldoni,
adding,
You don’t make fun of the situation. You take it very seriously. You file HR complaints. You raise the issue and you follow a legal process. What you don’t do is mock the person and turn it into a joke.
Legal Teams Exchange Public Statements on Harassment Allegations
Blake Lively’s attorneys described the ongoing case as more than a personal dispute, underscoring it as a serious issue rooted in workplace harassment and retaliation, rather than mere “creative differences.” They condemned efforts to discredit Lively as victim-blaming tactics that trivialize sexual misconduct.
Ms. Lively’s federal litigation before the Southern District of New York involves serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation, backed by concrete facts,
her legal team said in a statement. They cautioned,
A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’… Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim.
In response, Freedman accused Lively’s team of orchestrating media assaults and revealed his intention to disclose evidence demonstrating alleged patterns of bullying by Lively, stating,
We have all the receipts and more.
New Lawsuits and Litigation Developments in Early 2025
On January 16, 2025, Baldoni, Wayfarer, and related parties escalated legal proceedings by filing a lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and others. The suit accused them of civil extortion, defamation, and breaches of contractual relations. It also alleged that Lively and Reynolds were involved in damaging the plaintiffs’ reputations post-release of the film.
Freedman described Lively as either misled by her team or knowingly distorting facts, while Lively’s lawyers called the suit
another chapter in the abuser playbook,
accusing Baldoni of attempting to discredit his accuser through classic denial and reversal techniques.
According to her legal team, evidence will show that negative experiences with Baldoni were shared by others on set and that Sony specifically requested Lively’s oversight of the film’s final version, countering claims that she exerted unauthorized control.
Behind-the-Scenes Footage Adds Further Complexity
In late January 2025, Baldoni’s attorneys released behind-the-scenes video footage from It Ends With Us, contending the content disproved Lively’s portrayal of events.
They explained,
The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another,
adding,
Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism.
However, Lively’s legal team rejected this characterization, stating the footage corroborated Lively’s claims of discomfort, noting instances where she leaned away and asked for dialogue, interpreted as signs of inappropriate conduct by Baldoni.
Lively and Reynolds Request Gag Order on Baldoni’s Lawyer
In an effort to prevent further perceived improper commentary, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds jointly sought a gag order on Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lead counsel, asking the judge to limit Freedman’s public statements during ongoing litigation.
Revealed 2 AM Voice Memo from Baldoni to Lively Surfaces
On January 27, 2025, a seven-minute voice memo allegedly sent by Baldoni to Blake Lively surfaced. The recording seemingly referenced script revisions and meetings involving Reynolds and their friend Taylor Swift.
In the message, Baldoni said,
We should all have friends like that aside from the fact that they’re two of the most creative people on the planet,
and,
The three of you guys together, it’s unbelievable.
He also appeared to apologize for earlier reactions to Lively’s work, saying,
I f–ked up. One thing you should know about me is that I will admit and apologize when I fail.
March 9, 2026 Trial Date Scheduled for Lively vs. Baldoni
A month after filing her formal lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively’s case was assigned a court date for March 9, 2026, marking a major legal milestone in this protracted dispute.
Lawsuit Against The New York Times Expanded to $400 Million Claim
On January 31, 2025, Baldoni’s legal team amended their lawsuit to include The New York Times, raising the total claim value to $400 million. The amended filing accused Lively and her associates of colluding to provide false information intended to damage Baldoni’s reputation, and criticized the newspaper for selectively editing and presenting communications out of context.
Legal Information Website Launched by Baldoni’s Team
On February 2, 2025, Baldoni’s representatives launched a website sharing details of their legal case, including amended complaints and timelines of events. The site featured screenshots of text exchanges involving Lively, Reynolds, and Baldoni.
Freedman explained in an interview,
We want the truth to be out there. We want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts.
Lively Files Amended Complaint Including Other Women’s Experiences
On February 18, 2025, Blake Lively’s lawyers submitted an amended complaint citing two additional women from the It Ends With Us production who reportedly felt uncomfortable with Baldwin’s behavior. The complaint referenced contemporaneous documentation beginning in May 2023 and stated,
Ms. Lively was not alone in complaining about Mr. Baldoni.
It also claimed the two women would testify but remained unnamed due to
dangerous climate of threats, harassment, and intimidation fueled by the Defendants’ retaliation campaign.
Baldoni’s attorney dismissed the new complaint as based on hearsay and asserted those individuals were no longer willing to publicly support Lively’s claims.
Publicist Leslie Sloane Moves to Exit Baldoni’s Lawsuit
After Baldoni accused Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloane of spreading defamatory stories, Sloane sought dismissal from the lawsuit. Her attorneys argued that the claims against her lacked foundation and characterized her inclusion as a deliberate distraction from Lively’s original allegations.
Lively Employs Former CIA Deputy Chief to Assist Legal Strategy
On February 28, 2025, Blake Lively hired Nick Shapiro, a former CIA Deputy Chief of Staff and crisis management expert, to guide the legal communications strategy regarding her ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation case. Shapiro’s background includes roles with Visa, Airbnb, and founding his own consulting firm.
The New York Times Seeks to Withdraw From Litigation
Also on February 28, 2025, The New York Times filed a motion to dismiss itself from the case, arguing that the suit arose out of a one-sided narrative and that the newspaper should not be involved in the dispute. The filing also noted that the Times’ original $250 million lawsuit was dismissed after being added to the expanded $400 million claim.
Judge Temporarily Halts Discovery Proceedings
On March 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman granted The New York Times’ request for a stay on discovery, pausing the exchange of information in the case while evaluating the motion to dismiss. He commented that the Times had demonstrated strong grounds for dismissal and that the plaintiffs would not suffer unfair prejudice during the stay period.
Following the court’s order, a Times spokesperson praised the decision as protecting First Amendment interests and preventing undue burdens from baseless litigation.
Baldoni’s Team Attempts to Subpoena Taylor Swift, Prompting Denials
In May 2025, Baldoni’s legal team sought to subpoena singer Taylor Swift, alleging that her friendship with Blake Lively influenced the latter’s control over the film. Swift’s representative firmly denied any involvement, stating,
Taylor Swift never set foot on the set of this movie,
and,
Given that her involvement was licensing a song for the film, which 19 other artists also did, this document subpoena is designed to use Taylor Swift’s name to draw public interest by creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.
The subpoena request was withdrawn later that month following pushback.
Judge Dismisses Baldoni’s Countersuit Against Lively and Reynolds
On June 9, 2025, a judge dismissed the countersuit filed by Baldoni, Wayfarer, and other parties against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times. The court found insufficient evidence to support claims of defamation or civil extortion.
After the ruling, Lively shared her reaction on Instagram, saying,
Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us,
and,
While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.
She expressed gratitude for the support she had received. In contrast, Freedman characterized the dismissal as premature and insisted that the allegations alleged to be false remained unproven and undisputed.
Blake Lively Deposed in New York
On July 31, 2025, Blake Lively sat for a deposition at her legal team’s office. Although media outlets portrayed the event as an intense confrontation with Baldoni, her attorneys clarified that the proceedings involved multiple defendants and their lawyers, and contested the narrative suggesting she required extensive support during the sessions.
Ongoing Legal Battle Shapes Industry and Public Discourse
The unfolding legal dispute between Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Baldoni, and their respective teams has exposed conflicting narratives of harassment, retaliation, and professional reputations. The intense and publicized nature of these cases highlights the challenges faced by individuals addressing misconduct allegations in high-profile entertainment settings.
As Lively and Baldoni prepare for trial and continue exchanging legal filings, the outcome may set important precedents regarding accountability and workplace safety on major film productions. The case also underscores the complex interplay between celebrity influence, media coverage, and the judicial system.
