BLAKE LIVELY BREAKS SILENCE OVER NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO BY JUSTIN BALDONI

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Blake Lively has strongly criticized the release of raw video footage by her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, asserting that it supports her claims of inappropriate behavior on set. The footage, shared by Baldoni’s legal team on January 21, was intended to refute Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment but has sparked further controversy.

In a statement issued by Lively’s legal team, they described the video as “damning evidence” that aligns precisely with her allegations detailed in her complaint. “Every frame of the released footage corroborates, to the letter, what Ms. Lively described in Paragraph 48 of her Complaint,” her attorneys stated.
The video in question captures a slow-dance scene where Lively alleges Baldoni engaged in unwelcome conduct, including “leaning in toward Ms.
Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character.” Lively’s legal team emphasized that none of these actions were choreographed or consented to beforehand.
 “Every moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni with no discussion or consent in advance and no intimacy coordinator present,” the
statement continued. “Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively’s co-star but also the director, the head of the studio, and Ms. Lively’s boss.”
Lively’s discomfort is evident in the footage, according to her attorneys, who noted that she could be seen “leaning away” from Baldoni and asking to focus on dialogue instead. “Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognize Ms. Lively’s discomfort. They will recognize her attempts at levity to deflect the unwanted touching,” they added.
Criticizing the decision to release the footage publicly, Lively’s legal team called it an “unethical attempt to manipulate the public” and a continuation of harassment. “This matter is in active litigation. Releasing this video to the media, rather than presenting it as evidence in court, is another example of an unethical attempt to manipulate the public,” the statement read.
The resurfaced footage has further complicated the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, which began when she filed a lawsuit in December
2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Baldoni has denied the allegations and countersued, claiming defamation.

Lively’s team reaffirmed their commitment to the legal process, stating, “We are continuing our efforts to require Mr. Baldoni and his associates to answer in court, under oath, rather than through manufactured media stunts.”