Blake Energetic had a scathing response to Justin Baldoni releasing uncooked footage from the set of their film “It Ends With Us.”
In a press release supplied to The Put up, Energetic’s authorized group stated the video that Baldoni, 40, shared on Tuesday “corroborates, to the letter,” her allegations of sexual harassment relatively than vindicating him, as his group have claimed.
“Justin Baldoni and his lawyer may hope that this latest stunt will get ahead of the damaging evidence against him, but the video itself is damning,” the assertion started. “Every frame of the released footage corroborates, to the letter, what Ms. Lively described in Paragraph 48 of her Complaint.”
Energetic’s lawsuit alleges that in a “slow dance scene,” Baldoni “leaned forward and slowly dragged his lips from her ear and down her neck as he said, ‘it smells so good.’” Within the footage that Baldoni’s lawyer shared on Tuesday, which seems to point out the “slow dance scene” in query, Energetic might be heard joking that she’s “probably getting spray tan on” Baldoni, who laughs and replies, “It smells good.”
Energetic then replies, “Well, it’s not that. It’s my body makeup.”
“The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character,” Energetic’s legal professionals continued.
“Every moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni with no discussion or consent in advance, and no intimacy coordinator present. Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively’s co-star, but the director, the head of studio and Ms. Lively’s boss.”
The “Gossip Girl” alum’s authorized group went on to state that the footage is proof that Energetic was the sufferer of “unwanted touching” by the hands of Baldoni.
“The video shows Ms. Lively leaning away and repeatedly asking for the characters to just talk. Any woman who has been inappropriately touched in the workplace will recognize Ms. Lively’s discomfort,” the assertion stated. “They will recognize her attempts at levity to try to deflect the unwanted touching.”
Energetic’s legal professionals added, “No woman should have to take defensive measures to avoid being touched by their employer without their consent.”
The actress’ representatives additionally blasted Baldoni for releasing the footage within the first place, calling it “an unethical attempt to manipulate the public.”
“This matter is in active litigation in federal court. Releasing this video to the media, rather than presenting it as evidence in court, is another example of an unethical attempt to manipulate the public,” the assertion stated. “It is also a continuation of their harassment and retaliatory campaign. While they are focused on misleading media narratives, we are focused on the legal process.”
The assertion concluded, “We are continuing our efforts to require Mr. Baldoni and his associates to answer in court, under oath, rather than through manufactured media stunts.”
Baldoni’s group, in the meantime, has promised to create an internet site the place they are going to launch extra movies together with “correspondence” they consider corroborates their shopper’s claims in opposition to Energetic.
Baldoni’s legal professional Bryan Freedman informed The Put up: “Justin Baldoni and team have nothing to hide. And this video, once more proves this. Justin and team have the right to defend themselves with the truth and this is what we will be continuing to show with the upcoming website containing all correspondence as well as relevant videos that directly quash her claims.”
Representatives for the “Jane the Virgin” vet additionally shared a press release included on a title card on the high of the “It Ends With Us” footage.
“The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another,” the title card learn. “Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism.”
“These are all three takes filmed in sequence.”
Tuesday’s back-and-forth comes on the heels of Baldoni submitting a $400 million countersuit in opposition to Energetic, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, after the actress sued him for $250 million, alleging he triggered her to endure “severe emotional distress and pain, humiliation, embarrassment, belittlement, frustration and mental anguish” along with misplaced wages.
Energetic beforehand filed a criticism with the California Civil Rights Fee, wherein she claimed Baldoni sexually harassed her whereas making “It Ends With Us.” She additionally spoke about these claims in an interview with the New York Instances.
Along with suing Energetic, Baldoni has sued the New York Instances for $250 million, for libel and false gentle invasion of privateness over the Dec. 21 article on Energetic’s sexual harassment allegations.
