Justin Baldoni files $250M libel lawsuit against the New York Times over Blake Lively story

Justin Baldoni has filed a $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times following the publication of a story about his “It Ends With Us” co-star Blake Lively’s sexual harassment allegations.

According to Variety, the actor lodged an 87-page complaint in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday after the Times released the article “We Can Bury Anyone”: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine” on Dec. 21.

The lawsuit names 10 plaintiffs, including his publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, who accused the publication of “libel and false light invasion of privacy.”

“It Ends With Us” producers Steve Sarowitz and Jamey Heath claim that the Times “cherry-picked and altered communications” without providing the necessary context.

The lawsuit also accuses the publication of “promissory fraud and breach of implied-in-fact contract” in relation to the claims made in their article about Lively, as reported by Variety.

“The Times story relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative, lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives,” the complaint alleges.

The lawsuit also highlights that Lively, 37, filed a complaint against Baldoni, 40, on Dec. 21 instead of a lawsuit, a decision that the latter’s filing refers to as “a choice that spared her from the scrutiny of the discovery process, including answering questions under oath and producing her communications.

“This decision was no accident,” the lawsuit states.

However, the “Gossip Girl” star also filed a lawsuit against Baldoni on Tuesday, accusing him of emotional distress.

Representatives for Lively and the New York Times were not immediately available for comment to Page Six.

Earlier this month, Lively spoke to the Times after filing a complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment.

“I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted,” she told the outlet.

The two collaborated on the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel about domestic violence from 2023 to early 2024.

According to the filing obtained by Page Six, the “A Simple Favor” star raised concerns about Baldoni’s behavior on set as the movie’s antagonist and director.

In the meeting attended by Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, Baldoni was reportedly advised to refrain from discussing his porn addiction and showing the actress nude videos or images of women.

The movie producer was also allegedly instructed not to talk about the cast and crew’s genitalia, Lively’s weight, or her late father. Baldoni was also reportedly told not to add more sex scenes to the film.

As per the complaint, Lively also accused her co-star of orchestrating a smear campaign against her to damage her reputation.

The “Jane the Virgin” star and Lively notably worked with intimacy coordinators on set to ensure a safe environment for all.

His and Wayfarer Studios’ lawyer, Bryan Freedman, denied the allegations made by the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” star, calling them “serious and categorically false.”

“These claims are completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media,” he stated.

Freedman also mentioned that his client was compelled to hire a crisis manager due to Lively’s “multiple demands and threats,” which included allegedly threatening not to return to set or promote the film if her demands were not met.

When “It Ends With Us” was released in August, sources told Page Six that Baldoni allegedly made the mother of four feel “uncomfortable” on set.

Lively reportedly felt insecure about her figure and believed that Baldoni, who had previously experienced a back injury, “fat-shamed” her when he asked about her weight in preparation for a scene where he needed to lift her.

Lively faced criticism when promoting the film for her handling of questions about the movie’s theme of domestic violence.