Here are all of the A-list names that have been mentioned in Blake Lively’s lawsuit against her co-star Justin Baldoni.
The pair worked together on the 2016 film, It Ends With Us, with the latter starring alongside Lively and directing the romantic drama.
Based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, the summer release probably won’t be remembered for its plot or acting performances, but instead for the drama and controversy behind the scenes.
Months after fans realised that the actors weren’t doing much press together during the film’s release, Lively has filed a lawsuit, which has been obtained by the New York Times, that alleges that Baldoni tried to mount a smear campaign against her and ‘destroy’ her reputation.
The 37-year-old claimed that Baldoni’s behaviour caused ‘severe emotional distress’ for both her and her family, even accusing him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
Details of the lawsuit shocked many fans, as a number of big-name celebrities were also mentioned, including some friends and former co-stars.
A document that was attached to the complaint highlighted the alleged PR plan set out by Baldoni’s team, mentioning the A-list names as it was said to reveal that Lively was targeted in a calculated smear campaign.
Leighton Meester
Meester was mentioned alongside a couple of other big Hollywood names as points of interest for Baldoni’s crisis management team.
Best known for her role on Gossip Girl with Lively, it is alleged in the lawsuit that Baldoni and his team anticipated Lively talking about her ‘experience’ on the set of It Ends With Us.
If this happened, Baldoni’s team were alllegedly ready to encourage journalists to analyse Lively’s previous relationships with co-stars, focusing on three in particular.
The document details: “These pieces will lively come out following any potential hit piece and/or coverage from the premiere.
“Our recommended approach would be to provide reporters who reach out for comment, should it be obvious she’s referring to you, with the appropriate background information (listed in Scenario 1) to ensure their stories are balanced and the speculation can be turned to another one of the many people she’s had issues working with (Leighton Meester, Anna Kendrick, Ben Affleck, etc.).”
Though Meester and Lively have never spoken about their relationship, rumours swirled about a clash in personalities, despite co-stars denying this.
Anna Kendrick
Kendrick and Lively co-starred in the 2018 thriller, A Simple Favour, though interviews with the pair were perceived as ‘awkward’, as the public assumed that they had a tense relationship.
However, Kendrick said that they two are on good terms, even meeting up to discuss a sequel earlier this year, which is currently in the works.
Speaking with People in October, she described the reunion as ‘a bit like riding a bike’, adding that it was ‘so fun to just get the gang back together’.
Ben Affleck
The third name to be mentioned in the suit, Affleck worked with Lively in the action-thriller The Town, which was also directed by the Batman v Superman star.
Though Baldoni’s team allegedly targeted the relationship, Affleck has praised Lively in the past, especially pointing to a sex scene they shot together, adding that she was ‘more mature than some of the crew members.’
In fact, he also mentioned that he took Lively around his hometown, and explained in a cover profile for Interview Magazine in 2010 that she brought a lot to the role in their film.
Taylor Swift
Lively’s longtime friend, whom she attended the Super Bowl with this year, was mentioned in the documents, specifically in an email that mentioned the pop star, as Baldoni’s team were worried about Lively supporters that were also part of Swift’s fanbase.
In preparation for an issue going viral if raised by Lively, they allegedly prepared to ‘plant stories’ about the two, with the email allegedly saying: “We have seen the most innocuous issues turn giant due to socials or the hugest crises have no effect on social whatsoever.
“You just cannot tell at this stage. But BL does have some of the same TS fanbase so we will be taking it extremely seriously.”
The ‘scenario planning’ document said: “Our team can also explore planting stories about the weaponisation of feminism and how people like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilising these tactics to ‘bully’ into getting what they want.”
Hailey Bieber
The model was spoken about as it was said that Baldoni used her as an example of how they could ruin Lively’s reputation, referencing a post on X as what was called an ‘astroturfing’ plan against Lively.
Astroturfing can be defined as publishing opinions on the internet in the media, that are said to come from a normal member of the public, but they actually come from a specific company or political group.
Screenshotting the negative X thread about Bieber, he allegedly wrote: “This is what we would need.”
Ryan Reynolds
Last but not least, Lively’s husband and father of her children, Ryan Reynolds, was spoken about by Baldoni’s team in May 2024.
The actor claimed that Reynolds had blocked him and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, on social media.
Lively’s complaint detailed that Baldoni texted to his publicist: “We should have a plan for IF she does the same when (the) movie comes out.
“Just want you guys to have a plan. Plans make me feel more at ease.”
