Justin Baldoni's Former agency denies pressure from Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds to drop him

Justin Baldoni's Former agency denies pressure from Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds to drop him

Actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni, best known for his role in Jane the Virgin and directing It Ends With Us, is at the center of a heated controversy involving allegations of misconduct and claims of career sabotage. The situation escalated when his former agency, WME (William Morris Endeavor), refuted claims that it dropped Baldoni due to pressure from actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.

The controversy began when Blake Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni, alleging inappropriate behavior on the set of It Ends With Us. The allegations included claims of a hostile work environment and explicit material being shown without consent. Lively’s complaint also mentioned alleged retaliation by Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, after she voiced her concerns.

Following the allegations, Baldoni was dropped by WME, leading to speculation that Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, influenced the agency’s decision. Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, accusing the publication of defamation and invasion of privacy. In his lawsuit, he claimed that Reynolds pressured his agent to sever ties with him during a conversation at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere.

In response, WME issued a statement categorically denying the accusations. The agency stated that Baldoni’s representative was not present at the event and clarified that no pressure was exerted by either Lively or Reynolds. WME emphasised that its decision to end their professional relationship with Baldoni was based solely on Lively’s formal complaint, not external influence.

WME told The Hollywood Reporter, “In Baldoni’s filing, there is a claim that Reynolds pressured Baldoni’s agent at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere. This is not true. 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.”

Lively’s attorney also dismissed Baldoni’s claims, maintaining that her lawsuit against Wayfarer Studios is supported by her allegations and evidence. The attorney encouraged a thorough examination of the details in court, emphasizing the validity of Lively’s case.

The fallout from this controversy has reverberated across the entertainment industry. While Lively has garnered support from collaborators, including It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, Baldoni has faced additional legal challenges. His former publicist, Steph Jones, has also filed a lawsuit against him, further complicating the legal landscape.