Actor Blake Lively's legal representatives have issued a statement following the release of a nearly 10-minute video by the legal team of her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni. This raw footage was made public to demonstrate that Justin did not engage in harassment towards Blake during the filming of a romantic scene. According to Just Jared, Blake's attorneys remarked that the video depicted Justin "engaging with her out of character." They further noted that the footage illustrated Blake's attempts to redirect Justin's "unwanted touching."

What Blake reacted to the leaked video with Justin

The statement indicated that Justin Baldoni and his legal counsel might believe that this recent action will preemptively counter the incriminating evidence against him; however, the video in question is unequivocally damaging. Each frame of the released footage aligns precisely with the account provided by Ms. Lively in Paragraph 48 of her Complaint. The video depicts Mr Baldoni consistently leaning 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, complimenting her scent, and engaging in conversation with her in a manner that is inconsistent with his usual behaviour.

Blake's lawyers said she tried to lean away

It was stated that Mr. Baldoni improvised every moment of the scene without prior discussion or consent and that no intimacy coordinator was present. The statement further indicated that the video depicted Blake "leaning away and repeatedly requesting that the characters simply engage in conversation." Additionally, it emphasized that "no woman should be compelled to take defensive actions to prevent unwanted physical contact from their employer." The statement concluded by asserting that any woman who has experienced "inappropriate touching in the workplace will understand" Blake's "discomfort."

Blake's team talks about ‘unwanted touching’

A portion of the statement also indicated, "They will acknowledge her efforts at humour as a means to deflect the inappropriate touching. No woman should be compelled to take protective actions to prevent unwanted contact with their employer without consent. This issue is currently under active litigation in federal court. The decision to release this video to the media, instead of submitting it as evidence in court, exemplifies an unethical attempt to sway public opinion. Furthermore, it represents an ongoing pattern of harassment and retaliation. While they concentrate on creating misleading narratives in the media, we remain committed to the legal proceedings. We are persisting in our efforts to compel Mr. Baldoni and his associates to respond in court, under oath, rather than through orchestrated media events."

What is the video about

The video depicts Blake and Justin's characters engaging in a dance within a bar setting. The scene is devoid of any spoken dialogue. His attorney has released the unedited footage from the film, asserting that it "clearly contradicts Ms. Lively's portrayal of his conduct."

What Justin's lawyers said

According to US Magazine, it stated, “Ms Lively’s complaint claims that during the filming of a slow dance montage, Mr Baldoni exhibited inappropriate behaviour. However, the videos recorded on May 23, 2023, distinctly contradict Ms. Lively’s portrayal of his conduct. The scene was intended to depict the two characters developing romantic feelings and a desire for closeness. Both actors are evidently acting within the parameters of the scene, demonstrating mutual respect and professionalism. These are all three takes captured during the sequence.”

About Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni's legal battle

This development follows closely on the heels of actor-director Justin's lawsuit against Blake and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. Merely two weeks prior, Blake had initiated legal action against Justin and several individuals associated with the film, claiming they retaliated against her for speaking out about her experiences on set. The two are currently embroiled in a contentious legal dispute concerning the dark romantic drama. The conflict between them has generated significant attention in Hollywood and sparked conversations regarding the treatment of female actors in production environments.

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