WME talent agency has terminated its representation of actor-director Justin Baldoni following a sexual harassment complaint filed by actress Blake Lively regarding their work on the film "It Ends With Us."
Lively, who stars opposite Baldoni in the film, filed a detailed 10-claim complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on Friday, accusing Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios of sexual harassment and orchestrating efforts to damage her reputation.
The complaint outlines numerous concerning incidents that allegedly occurred during production, including Baldoni making unwanted sexual comments, improvising intimate scenes without consent, and entering Lively's trailer uninvited while she was undressing. Additional allegations involve inappropriate discussions about pornography addiction and showing nude videos to cast and crew members.
The filing also describes a hostile work environment that prompted a meeting between Lively, Sony Pictures executives, and the production team to address the inappropriate conduct. The actress's team presented 30 specific demands that needed to be met to resume production after the actors' strike, including stopping unwanted physical contact and ceasing discussions of a sexual nature.
Through his attorney Bryan Freedman, Baldoni strongly denied the allegations, calling them "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious." His legal team claims Lively made multiple threats during filming, including refusing to promote the film if her demands weren't met.
In response, Lively stated to the New York Times that she hopes her legal action will expose retaliatory tactics used against those who speak up about misconduct in the industry.
The actress remains represented by WME, while the agency has declined to comment on Baldoni's termination. The controversy continues to unfold as both parties prepare for potential legal proceedings.