CONTROVERSIA
Portrait of Justin Baldoni

Photo: SAMHSA from Rockville · Public domain

Born in United States · Nationality American — Cinema / television / production / masculinity / civil litigation

Justin Baldoni

Film, television and entertainment

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “2020–2022: Shane Norman action against Wayfarer and Baldoni for racial discrimination and wrongful dismissal” and “2021: copyright infringement lawsuit involving Five Feet Apart”.

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Profile No. 1570 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Justin Baldoni

Photo: SAMHSA from Rockville · Public domain
7Documented controversies
14Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2024-12-2026-05

2024–2026: allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct and crossed boundaries on It Ends With Us

Civil / administrative proceedings

Blake Lively accused Baldoni of making inappropriate sexual comments, improvising certain physical contact without prior agreement, pressing for nudity and crossing boundaries on set. She requested several filming rules and the presence of an intimacy coordinator.

Attribution
Accused

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    BBC NewsBlake Lively and Justin Baldoni at odds over It Ends With Us outtakesMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Los Angeles TimesBlake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni dismissedMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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02

2024-12-2026-05

2024–2026: accusation of involvement in retaliation campaign amplifying backlash against Lively

Civil / administrative proceedings

Lively alleged that Baldoni and Wayfarer used a crisis communications team to prepare and exploit negative online narratives about her following her internal complaints. Messages between communications professionals were produced and examined during the litigation.

Attribution
Accused

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Washington PostBlake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment, smear campaignMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    ForbesIt Ends With Us—Blake Lively’s Accusations Against Justin Baldoni, ExplainedMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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03

2026-05-2026-08

2026: Lively–Baldoni dispute settled before trial, followed by legal costs dispute

Civil / administrative proceedings

In May 2026, Baldoni, Lively and the main parties settled their dispute before trial on the remaining claims. No payment to Lively was announced in the principal settlement. Residual disputes over costs subsequently resulted in a partial costs award in her favour.

State of the evidence
Settlement
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    The Washington PostBlake Lively, Justin Baldoni settle explosive lawsuit over It Ends With UsMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Los Angeles TimesJustin Baldoni and wife break silence after It Ends With Us legal battleMediaHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    The Washington Post / APJudge grants Blake Lively $400,000 of $8M in legal feesMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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04

2024-12-31-2025

2024–2025: $250 million defamation lawsuit against New York Times relating to its investigation

Investigation

Baldoni and several Wayfarer-related parties sued the New York Times for 250 million dollars, accusing the newspaper of presenting Lively's allegations in a biased manner and taking internal communications out of context.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    VogueA Timeline of Blake Lively’s Legal Dispute With Justin BaldoniMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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05

2025-01-2025-06

2025: $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds and others for extortion, defamation and interference

Civil / administrative proceedings

Baldoni and Wayfarer accused Lively, Ryan Reynolds and others of attempting to take control of the film, defaming him and using their professional influence against him. The claims totalled 400 million dollars.

Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ForbesJustin Baldoni Files $400 Million Suit Against LivelyMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Guardian / APBlake Lively awarded legal fees but no damages in Justin Baldoni disputeMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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06

2020-12-2022-04

2020–2022: Shane Norman action against Wayfarer and Baldoni for racial discrimination and wrongful dismissal

No legal proceedings

Shane Norman, a former Black executive at Wayfarer, accused the company and Baldoni of discrimination, retaliation and wrongful dismissal after raising concerns about internal racial inequalities. He notably alleged that he had been marginalised and treated as an 'angry Black man'.

Attribution
Accused

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Los Angeles TimesJustin Baldoni's road to the center of a Hollywood scandalMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Trellis LawShane Norman Vs Wayfarer Entertainment et al.Court recordHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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07

2021-09

2021: copyright infringement lawsuit involving Five Feet Apart

Civil / administrative proceedings

Author and activist Travis Flores sued Baldoni, Wayfarer and several companies, alleging that Five Feet Apart copied elements of his screenplay Three Feet Distance after Baldoni had gained access to his work.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Accused

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    JustiaTravis Flores v. Justin Baldoni et alCourt recordVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    Bloomberg LawCBS Films, Lionsgate See Copyright Suit Over Five Feet ApartMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)
  1. Blake Lively2 documented references
  2. Ryan Reynolds2 documented references

III. Has something changed?

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