Hollywood: Justin Baldoni dropped by Agency, stripped of Award amid Blake Lively’s harassment claims

Actor Justin Baldoni, known for his role in It Ends With Us, has been stripped of a prestigious women’s advocacy award and dropped by his talent agency following allegations of sexual harassment and defamation made by co-star Blake Lively.

Vital Voices, a global non-profit dedicated to empowering women, announced on Monday that it was rescinding the award, stating Baldoni’s alleged actions were "contrary to the values" of the organization. The award, presented on December 9 in New York by comedian Hasan Minhaj, celebrates men who advocate for women’s rights. Baldoni had shared his gratitude on Instagram, emphasizing the importance of teaching boys empathy and vulnerability.

However, the honor was withdrawn less than two weeks later, following Lively’s legal complaint.

She accused Baldoni and a producer on the film of repeated sexual harassment and claimed that Baldoni’s team orchestrated a "multi-tiered plan" to damage her reputation. Her complaint to the California Civil Rights Department detailed allegations of misconduct, including an insistence on adding intimate scenes not approved in the original script and repeated mentions of Baldoni's "pornography addiction."

The fallout from these allegations has been swift. Alongside losing the award, Baldoni has also been dropped by his talent agency, which cited the lawsuit and the surrounding controversy as the reason for severing ties. The agency released a brief statement affirming its commitment to creating safe and supportive environments within the industry.

Baldoni’s legal team has categorically denied the allegations, labeling them as "intentionally salacious" and accusing Lively of threatening to derail the film by refusing to show up on set or participate in its promotion unless her demands were met. His lawyer, Bryan Freedman, stated that Baldoni’s team hired a crisis manager solely in response to what they saw as threats that could jeopardize the film’s production and release.

In It Ends With Us, Lively portrays a woman trapped in a toxic relationship with Baldoni’s character, a charming but abusive boyfriend. The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, has been overshadowed by the legal dispute and public fallout, raising questions about its future.

Lively’s legal complaint also alleges that Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, hired a crisis manager to spearhead a "well-financed retaliation plan," including deploying a "digital army" to spread false narratives online. These actions, Lively claims, were part of a coordinated effort to undermine her credibility.

Vital Voices stated it could no longer stand by its decision to honor Baldoni in light of the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to supporting women and holding individuals accountable. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the responsibility of male allies, accountability in the film industry, and the personal and professional repercussions of such allegations.

With his agency’s withdrawal and mounting legal challenges, Baldoni’s future in the industry remains uncertain as the case continues to unfold.