By Emma hynes
In mid-January, Justin Baldoni's studio sued Blake Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, for $400M over alleged defamation and extortion, among other things.
Recently released documents targeting the famous couple and their associate shed new light on the he-said-she-said that’s been playing out in the tabloids for months.
Regarding the dance scene that led to Lively's initial complaint, Baldoni’s countersuit points out that the actress continued to take him out of character while joking about his nose, even suggesting he look into plastic surgery.
In a footnote, attorneys reminded readers of the actress’ prior comments about being body-shamed by her director on the set of It Ends With Us.
“Lively alleges Baldoni inappropriately commented on her physical appearance. It was the other way around,” they asserted.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Us Weekly obtained footage from Baldoni’s attorneys showing what happened during filming. While her December lawsuit suggested there was no audio captured, the director has since revealed otherwise.
“Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism,” a statement accompanying the new evidence says.
Per Us Weekly’s report on the video, “[Attorney] Bryan Freedman has... told the public that Justin Baldoni and team has nothing to hide and this video, once more proves this."
Those who are keeping up with this complicated saga might recall a statement given to People by Lively’s team on Jan. 6. This doubled down on her “serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation” that they note are “backed by concrete facts.”
The very next day, Freedman responded on Baldoni’s behalf, declaring, “We are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over It Ends With Us."
His legal team has also told People, “[We] have the right to defend [ourselves] with the truth… This is what we will be continuing to show with the upcoming website containing all correspondence... that quash her claims.”