The following article mentions alleged workplace misconduct and Sєxual harᴀssment.Blake Lively has seemingly addressed her ongoing legal dispute with It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel of the same name, starred Lively and Baldoni in leading roles. The film, which tackled themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse, became a box office success, grossing over $35 million worldwide. However, there was behind-the-scenes tension between Lively and Baldoni, leading to a series of legal actions that have captured public attention and have once more sparked discussions about workplace conduct in the film industry.
In her recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, her first television interview since the lawsuit’s inception, while promoting Another Simple Favor, Lively described the past year as filled with “the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.” The Gossip Girl alum emphasized the importance of speaking out despite fear, highlighting the challenges women face when voicing their experiences and her fight for the world to become a safer place for women and girls. Read her full comments below:
What I can say without going too into it is that this year has been the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in my life. And I see so many women around afraid to speak, especially right now, afraid to share their experiences, and fear is by design.
It’s what keeps us silent. But I also acknowledge that many people don’t have the opportunity to speak. So I do feel fortunate that I’ve been able to and as a woman, you have the ability to use your voice – that’s kept me strong and helped me in my belief and my fight for the world to be safer for women and girls. It’s a pretty simple thing.
What This Means For It Ends With Us
Lively’s Comments Reignite Public Attention In Her Legal Battle Against Baldoni
In the film, Lively stars as Lily Bloom, a florist navigating a complicated and abusive relationship with Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid, a charming but volatile love interest. Their on-screen chemistry was meant to be the movie’s highlight. However, the legal dispute began in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging Sєxual harᴀssment and retaliatory actions against her during the production of It Ends With Us. She claims that Baldoni created a hostile work environment and orchestrated a smear campaign to damage her reputation.
Baldoni denied the accusations and filed a $400 million countersuit for defamation and civil extortion, naming Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist. With the case headed to trial in March 2026, Lively’s recent comments about the importance of women speaking out have reignited public interest in the situation and added emotional weight to her portrayal of a woman trying to escape violence. This especially comes as the star also faced public scrutiny while promoting her latest film, Another Simple Favor. On the other hand, their legal battle has also sparked wider discussions about the responsibilities of those in positions of power in the entertainment industry.
Our Take On Lively’s Stand
Why Speaking Out Still Matters & How It Impacts Hollywood Culture
Lively’s decision to open up, even within the limitations imposed by the ongoing litigation, underscores the importance of addressing workplace misconduct and the challenges women face in doing so. Her emphasis on the role that fear plays in silencing victims resonates with a larger societal discussion about power dynamics and accountability. Thus, Lively contributes to the ongoing discourse about creating safer and more equitable work environments. Her speaking on the It Ends With Us matter isn’t easy, and more details may come to light as the trial inches closer to its date.
Source: Late Night with Seth Meyers