Live from New York…this is not Blake Lively.
Blake Lively is blaming Justin Baldoni for not hosting the “Saturday Night Live” season 50 premiere in September.
The 37-year-old actress filed a legal complaint against Baldoni, 40, on Friday, accusing him of sexually harassing her on the set of “It End’s With Us” — as well as waging a smear campaign against her.
Lively’s lawyers claimed that some of her business commitments, including her planned “SNL” hosting gig, were affected by alleged efforts by Baldoni and his associates to “destroy” her reputation.
“The effects on Ms. Lively’s professional life were immediate and substantial,” the complaint states. “Given the ongoing nature of the campaign and the associated negative public sentiment, Ms. Lively did not believe that she could proceed with public appearances or events without being forced to openly discuss what happened on the set.” Are.”
“For example, Ms. Lively canceled an important Target corporate event for her hair care company, and she stepped back from her scheduled role to host a major episode of the 50th anniversary season of Saturday Night Live in September 2024 ,” the lawsuit continued.
“Hacks” star Gene Smart hosted the first episode of “SNL” Season 50 on September 28.
Lively previously hosted the sketch comedy show in December 2009. Rihanna was the musical guest for that episode.
The Post has reached out to “SNL” for comment.
The domestic violence drama “It Ends With Us,” based on the best-selling book by Colleen Hoover, was released in theaters a month before the “SNL” premiere. At the time, Lively faced bad publicity as reports claimed that she and Baldoni – who directed the film – had clashed on the set.
The former “Gossip Girl” actress was criticized for how she promoted the film’s domestic violence theme. She was even branded a “vile girl” after a journalist’s old interview with the actress went viral on social media.
In her lawsuit against Baldoni, Lively accused the actor of abuse on the set of the film. He claimed that in an emergency meeting during production, Baldoni was told to refrain from showing live photos or videos of naked women, talking about his dead father, and inquiring about his weight.
Baldoni also reportedly opened up to Lively about his past porn addiction and his sexual conquests while they were working together.
Lively’s complaint also accused Baldoni of a “coordinated effort to destroy her reputation” following the film’s release. They included the damning texts of Baldoni and his team as evidence.
According to the complaint, due to the defamation campaign, Lively and her family – Husband Ryan Reynolds and their four children – Experiencing “emotional distress”.
Baldoni’s lawyer denied Lively’s “completely false, outrageous” claims in a statement to The Post.
“It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and patently false allegations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives, in what is yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ the negative reputation that their own Arising from comments and actions taken during the promotion of the film,” the statement read.
In the wake of Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni has been dropped by his talent agency.
(TagstoTranslate)Entertainment(T)Celebrities(T)TV(T)Blake Lively(T)Celebrity Lawsuits(T)Justin Baldoni(T)Lawsuits(T)Saturday Night Live
