As a seasoned film enthusiast who’s seen more than a few behind-the-scenes dramas, I can’t help but feel for Blake Lively in this situation. Her career is not just a profession, it’s her passion and her life’s work. To miss out on hosting the “SNL” Season 50 opener due to alleged harassment by her co-star and director is nothing short of heartbreaking.

Blake Lively attributes her absence from hosting the “Saturday Night Live” Season 50 opener to her commitments working alongside Justin Baldoni on their film, “It Ends with Us.

In her lawsuit against Baldoni, Lively claimed he had tarnished her reputation. She mentioned that her opportunity to host “SNL” during its 50th season was among those taken away following the repercussions of his alleged harassment.

Immediate and significant impacts were felt in Ms. Lively’s career, as stated in the complaint. With the persisting nature of the campaign and the ensuing negative public opinion, Ms. Lively felt it was impossible for her to attend public events or engagements without being compelled to publicly address what transpired on set.

The issue persisted as follows: “For instance, Ms. Lively called off a crucial Target corporate gathering for her haircare business, and she subsequently declined her commitment to host the debut episode of ‘Saturday Night Live’ during its 50th anniversary season in September 2024.

In a significant document submitted to the California Civil Rights Department, it was revealed that a meeting was scheduled for early 2024 between Lively and Baldoni, regarding Lively’s potential return to the “It Ends with Us” production set once the consecutive Hollywood labor disputes had been resolved.

During the meeting, Lively asserted that Baldoni made derogatory comments about her weight, brought up topics concerning his personal life in an unsuitable manner, and pressured her to reveal her religious convictions. Additionally, she alleged that Jamey Heath, a producer of “It Ends with Us” and the head of Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, displayed a video of his wife giving birth to her.

The complaint additionally included screenshots of text messages and emails exchanged among Lively, Baldoni, and their associates, implying that they would initiate a smear campaign against her if any disputes between the “It Ends with Us” co-stars were made public.

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2024-12-23 02:46