Justin Baldoni Sues New York Times Over Defamatory Article on Blake Lively’s Allegations
In a shocking turn of events in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the film “It Ends With Us,” actor and director Justin Baldoni has taken legal action against the New York Times for what he claims is a defamatory article regarding allegations made by his co-star Blake Lively. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that the New York Times published a false and damaging piece based on Lively’s unverified claims, while ignoring evidence that contradicted her narrative.
The New York Times article, released on Dec. 21, focused on Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni against her. The lawsuit filed by Baldoni, along with nine other plaintiffs including publicists, producers, and the movie’s production company, seeks damages of at least $250 million for harm to their reputations and livelihoods. The suit alleges libel, false light invasion of privacy, promissory fraud, and breach of contract against the news outlet.
Baldoni’s legal team claims that the New York Times collaborated with Lively’s camp to publish a one-sided story, painting a misleading picture of events. The Times stands by its reporting, stating that the article was thoroughly researched and based on extensive documentation, including text messages and emails between Baldoni and his team. However, Baldoni’s complaint asserts that the texts were cherry-picked and taken out of context to support Lively’s allegations.
Questionable Narratives and Missing Context
One key point of contention raised in Baldoni’s lawsuit is Lively’s claim that he intruded on her privacy by entering her trailer uninvited while she was in vulnerable situations. Baldoni’s legal team presents text messages showing Lively inviting him into her trailer for script rehearsals while she was pumping, contradicting her allegations of unwelcome visits.
Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses the New York Times of omitting crucial texts that would have provided a different perspective on the alleged smear campaign. Baldoni’s team highlights instances where the publication failed to include messages indicating sarcasm or doubt in the exchanges between publicists discussing negative stories about Lively.
Challenging the Narrative
Amid conflicting accounts and legal battles, the lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni challenges the portrayal of events presented in the New York Times article. As the case unfolds in court, both parties are standing firm on their positions, with the truth hanging in the balance. The outcome of this legal battle could have wide-reaching implications for the entertainment industry and the way media outlets handle sensitive allegations in the future.
As the public awaits further developments in this high-profile case, one thing remains clear: the truth behind the allegations made by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni is far from settled. The intricacies of Hollywood politics, personal relationships, and legal ramifications are all at play in this complex and contentious dispute. Only time will tell how this story unfolds and what impact it will have on those involved.
