Don't show me porn, no religion talk no fat-shaming… how Blake Lively's 30 demands on toxic behaviour rocked Hollywood
12/23/2024 04:00 PM
FROM conversations about sex and porn addiction to fat shaming, Blake Lively's claims during filming It Ends With Us have lifted the lid on the dark side of Hollywood.
The actress is suing her co-star and the movie's director — Justin Baldoni — for sexual harassment.
She claims she was the victim of an orchestrated campaign to destroy her reputation after complaining about "toxic" behaviour on set.
The film is based on Colleen Hoover's novel about Lily and her abusive boyfriend Ryle, played by Blake and Justin.
It got publicity for all the wrong reasons on its release in August.
Blake, 37, was branded a diva and mocked for promoting her haircare line during interviews while avoiding talking about domestic violence.
She was called "tone deaf" and then trolled after resurfaced social media posts showed her being "rude" to reporters.
But the release this week of a shocking list of 30 demands she made to Justin and others before she would agree to return to filming has shed light on what was allegedly going on behind the scenes.
The talent agency that represents both actors has cut ties with Justin, 40, since the legal complaint was filed against him on Saturday.
It shows WME bosses are choosing to stand with Blake.
Legal documents reveal there was a meeting attended by Blake, her actor husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, Justin, bosses of Wayfarer Studios and lawyers, to address her complaints on set.
Among her demands were that Justin's previous "pornography addiction" and her lack of porn "consumption" should no longer be up for discussion.
Nor should talk about their sex lives, "genitalia" or "personal times that physical consent was not given in sexual acts, as either the abuser or the abused".
Blake stated that she would not take part in sex scenes outside those agreed when she signed up for the film.
She said touching or sexual comments from Justin and lead producer Jamey Heath "would not be tolerated" and that there should be "no more improvised kissing", "biting or sucking of lip" without consent.
She banned Justin's friends from being on set during sex scenes and said there needed to be a full-time intimacy co-ordinator.
The jaw-dropping list also banned anyone from asking Blake or her personal trainer about her weight, discussing her religious beliefs, or "imposing" theirs on her.
But perhaps the most bizarre was that Justin needed to stop claiming he could "speak" to Blake's father, Ernie, who died in 2021.
The list was accepted by Justin and the studio, but Blake claims the director's team then engaged in "social manipulation" to harm her reputation.
Author Colleen, Blake's sister Robyn and a host of stars have since jumped to her defence on social media.
Colleen, 45, wrote: "You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met.
“Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."
Blake's Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants film co- stars — America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel — issued a joint statement, saying: "We saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and her colleague on set.
“And we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice."
Blake's lawsuit has exposed the underbelly of Hollywood's PR machine, which can make or break a celebrity.
The Age Of Adaline star is also taking action against PR crisis expert Melissa Nathan, who has previously worked with actor Johnny Depp and rapper Drake, claiming she tried to tarnish her.
The lawsuit includes thousands of private messages, including one between a publicist working for Justin and Wayfarer studios on August 2 that allegedly said: "He (Baldoni) wants to feel like she can be buried."
Nathan is said to have replied: "You know we can bury anyone."
In the proceeding weeks, Nathan is said to have reinforced negative stories about Blake in the media.
Justin's lawyer Bryan Freedman called the lawsuit "false, outrageous and intentionally salacious", saying it was an attempt by Blake to "fix her negative reputation".
Freedman claims she threatened not to show up to set or promote It Ends With Us, which "ultimately led to its demise during release".
The row is all the more intriguing since details of Justin's wedding vows to wife Emily in 2013 were revealed.
He apologised to his bride for "anything I've ever said or done that has hurt you" and for "my faults, shortcomings . . . and my ego"
