Ryan Reynolds breaks silence with first post since wife Blake Lively’s ‘sexual harassment’ Justin Baldoni lawsuit
Ryan Reynolds has broken his silence on social media following his wife Blake Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin Baldoni.
The actor took to Instagram on Monday to promote his charity campaign with SickKids Foundation, sharing a video featuring himself in his Deadpool costume alongside Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter and his daughter.
In the post, Reynolds hinted at difficult times, acknowledging the video was filmed “during a time I really didn’t feel like putting the suit on.”
The Hollywood star and his wife pledged to match donations up to £500,000 until Christmas Eve for the children’s charity.
“This organisation is a sanctuary for so many kids and their parents traversing the unimaginable,” Reynolds wrote in his Instagram caption.
The charitable initiative marks the couple’s eighth year running their Ugly Sweater Campaign for the Toronto-based Hospital for Sick Children.
Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in the California Civil Rights Department on Friday, December 20, accusing her It Ends With Us co-star and director of sexual harassment.
The lawsuit alleges Baldoni “improvised physical intimacy” during scenes without prior discussion, including an incident where he reportedly “discreetly bit and sucked on Lively’s lower lip” during multiple takes.
Court documents claim Baldoni made inappropriate sexual inquiries, including asking Lively if she and Reynolds experienced simultaneous climaxes.
The complaint also states that Baldoni showed Lively nude videos and images of other women, discussed his alleged porn addiction, and made inappropriate remarks about her weight.
Both Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath allegedly entered Lively’s trailer unannounced whilst she was undressed, breastfeeding, or otherwise vulnerable.
The lawsuit details that Heath pressured Lively to simulate nudity during a childbirth scene, despite prior agreements that no nudity was required.
According to documents obtained by The New York Times, Baldoni and his team orchestrated what Lively’s representatives describe as “a multi-tiered plan of social manipulation designed to destroy Blake’s reputation.”
Text messages revealed through subpoena show exchanges between publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, with Nathan stating she could “bury anyone.”
In one exchange, Nathan joked about murdering Lively, writing: “I also sent you a present. Don’t worry, I didn’t kill her and send her in a box to your house.”
Abel later wrote about “having reckless thoughts of wanting to plant pieces this week about how horrible Blake is to work with.”
The messages show Baldoni suggesting they could “flip the narrative” by using social media platforms to discredit Lively.
The crisis management team planned to highlight Lively’s “less than favorable reputation in the industry” and how she created an “imbalance of power” by involving Reynolds.
Baldoni has denied all allegations through his lawyer Bryan Freedman, who called the claims “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.”
Following the allegations, talent agency WME dropped Baldoni as a client on December 21.
Colleen Hoover, author of It Ends With Us, has released a statement supporting Lively.
SAG-AFTRA stood by Lively, praising her “courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Kate Garraway fights back tears as she delivers honest verdict on first Christmas without husbandOnly Fools and Horses bosses issue defiant statement as musical cast members ‘upset’ by racist abuseGiovanni Pernice unveils matching tattoo with Italian Strictly girlfriend as pair take romance step
Baldoni’s Man Enough podcast co-host Liz Plank resigned following the allegations, stating she would “continue to support everyone who calls out injustice.”
Sony Pictures released a statement backing Lively, saying they “strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her.”
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, and Alexis Bledel issued a joint statement supporting Lively, saying they witnessed her “summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace.”
Actors Gwyneth Paltrow, Amy Schumer, Paul Feig, and Brandon Sklenar have also voiced their support for Lively.