Blake Lively referred to Justin Baldoni as a “doofus director” and a “clown”, according to newly unsealed court documents from her legal case.
The actress and Baldoni starred together in It Ends With Us, but Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024 alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign. Baldoni strongly denies the accusations and is actively defending against the suit.
Newly revealed text messages from 2023 show Lively described Baldoni as a “rabid pig” to close friends. Singer Taylor Swift chimed in, suggesting Baldoni anticipated the lawsuit, quipping he’d already pulled out his “tiny violin.”
A judge dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million (£295 million) countersuit last June. As of today, neither Lively nor Baldoni have responded to requests for comment.
Lively’s case is scheduled to go to trial in May. The unsealed documents offer a glimpse into the strained dynamic between Lively and Baldoni during filming and the subsequent press tour leading up to the film’s August 2024 release.
In the messages, Lively labeled Baldoni “this doofus director of my movie” and dismissed him as “a clown” who “thinks he’s a writer now.”
Lively’s legal team acknowledged the language but argued the texts lack crucial context. They pointed to a more complete exchange, including messages where Lively assured Baldoni that her relationship with Swift and husband Ryan Reynolds would ultimately benefit him.
The messages also reveal Lively expressing a surprising sentiment: “Despite his repeated disturbing behaviour and acts, I still feel bad for him.”
She continued, questioning Baldoni’s actions: “To be reminded multiple times daily that he’s smearing me for… asking him not to sexually or emotionally harass me? For making his movie better? For calling in all the favours to turn out all the biggest musicians and entertainers to contribute to making his movie better? For leading a marketing campaign for free?”
Lively added, “I literally don’t know a single thing I’ve done that he can smear me about. Ryan [Reynolds] says [Baldoni] should be writing me apology and thank you letters every day. And instead he chooses to make a monster outta me.”
“But what’s my crime. I’ve only ever stayed focused on the work and given him every opportunity to make it better. And he just keeps behaving like a rabid pig.”
Texts show Lively also reached out to Liz Plank, Baldoni’s former podcast co-host, in May 2023, sharing she “came home and cried” after a “SOS set visit.” Plank responded, stating she “thought maybe things had gotten better” and that those involved had “gotten away with so much.” The identity of “they” remains unclear.
Plank reportedly described working on Baldoni’s set as “truly one of the worst days of [her] life.” Later that year, Lively confided in actress Jenny Slate, expressing dread at returning to set and anticipating “upsetting” experiences.
Slate also alleged misconduct during filming, with court documents revealing she filed complaints against Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath.
Texts from Baldoni suggest similar friction. In February 2024, he told Heath he feared Lively would leverage her allegations.
He wrote: “She had the nuclear bomb. If she doesn’t promote the movie she can leak that I’m a bad person or that she felt unsafe with me and ‘all the stuff’ she has on me. Then she’s the victim.”
Heath is CEO of Wayfarer Studios, the production company behind It Ends With Us, and is also named in Lively’s lawsuit.
The filing accuses Baldoni and Heath of “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behaviour,” alongside creating a hostile work environment.
The text messages were unsealed Tuesday ahead of a summary judgement hearing scheduled for January 22.
