Blake Lively attributes her absence from hosting the “Saturday Night Live” Season 50 premiere to her co-star and director Justin Baldoni, who worked on “It Ends with Us.”
In Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni, which claimed he tarnished her reputation, she mentioned her hosting role in “SNL” Season 50 as one of the chances that were taken from her due to the aftermath of his alleged misconduct.
“The impact on Ms. Lively’s career was prompt and significant,” the lawsuit stated. “Due to the continuous nature of the campaign and the related negative public sentiment, Ms. Lively felt she could not go ahead with public appearances or events without being compelled to openly address what transpired on set.”
The grievance went on: “For instance, Ms. Lively called off an important Target corporate event for her hair care brand, and she withdrew from her planned role to emcee the first episode of the 50th anniversary season of ‘Saturday Night Live’ in September 2024.”
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In the shocking submission, submitted to the California Civil Rights Department, a meeting was outlined between Lively and Baldoni in January 2024 to discuss her comeback to the “It Ends with Us” set following the conclusion of the simultaneous Hollywood labor strikes.
During the meeting, Lively asserted that Baldoni complained about her weight, made inappropriate comments regarding his sex life, and pressured her to reveal her religious views. She additionally claims that Jamey Heath, a producer of “It Ends with Us” and the CEO of Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, displayed to her a video of his wife giving birth.
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The grievance included screenshots of messages and emails involving Lively, Baldoni, and his associates, claiming that if any issues between the “It Ends with Us” co-stars surfaced, they would initiate a campaign to tarnish her reputation.
