WME swiftly dropped Justin Baldoni as a client after Blake Lively filed sexual harassment lawsuit

Justin Baldoni has been terminated as a client by WME. According to The Hollywood Reporter, WME leadership made the decision on Saturday (Dec. 21, 2024) to sever ties with Baldoni, mainly in response to the sexual harassment complaint filed against the actor/director by his It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively on Friday (Dec. 20, 2024). Lively continues to maintain her representation with WME.

On Friday, Lively initiated legal action against Baldoni, claiming his conduct on the set of It Ends With Us — where he served as star, director and producer — resulted in “severe emotional distress.” (Lively also executive produced the film and portrayed the main character Lily Bloom.)

The legal documents reveal that a meeting took place during production in January 2024 to address Lively’s concerns about the “hostile work environment” on set. Various project personnel attended the meeting, including Baldoni and Lively’s spouse, Ryan Reynolds.

The 2017 Summer TCA Tour CBS Television Studios' Summer Soiree — Justin Baldoni at the 2017 Summer TCA Tour – CBS Television Studios’ Summer Soiree At CBS Studios on 8/1/17 In Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: INSTARimages.com

According to the legal filing, Lively’s meeting requirements included: “no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni’s alleged previous ‘pornography addiction,’ no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew’s genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mention of Blake’s dead father.”

Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman addressed Lively’s “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious” claims, suggesting the actress filed suit to “fix her negative reputation” and “rehash a narrative” about the film’s production.

Lively has countered by accusing Baldoni’s team of deliberately tarnishing her reputation through an orchestrated “astroturfing” effort.

Variety's Power of Women Luncheon in New York — 04/21/2017 – Justin Baldonia at Variety’s Power of Women Luncheon in New York. Photo Credit: PBG/PA Images/INSTARimages.com

Freedman further claimed that Lively made “multiple demands and threats” during filming It Ends With Us, including “threatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release, if her demands were not met.”

In comments to The New York Times in December, Lively stated, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.” The actress denied spreading negative information about Baldoni.