Blake Lively has slammed a recent The Hollywood Reporter cover for its “sexist” depiction of her battling filmmaker Justin Baldoni.
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The artwork for a story promising an “exclusive look behind the battle lines” amid their ongoing legal row was shared on Friday (February 21). It sees the pair reimagined in a David and Goliath-esque scene, with Gossip Girl actress Lively slinging a cell phone at Baldoni, who is clutching an It Ends With Us book.
Another landscape version illustrated by The Sporting Press includes Lively’s husband as Nicepool, a variant of Deadpool, who fans believe might be an unflattering portrayal of Baldoni. His lawyer, Bryan Freedman – who previously said there was “no question” the character related to Baldoni, stands to the right of him in the illustration.
Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni
An exclusive look behind the battle lines of the #ItEndsWithUs uncivil war: https://t.co/UryXmLrDcT pic.twitter.com/r8VI1SOcNf
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 21, 2025
Now, a spokesperson for Lively has shared her disappointment with the cover in a statement to The Daily Mail, saying: “The framing in this picture is outrageously insulting as it plays into every sexist trope about women who dare file a workplace complaint, turning them into the aggressor, and suggesting they deserve the retaliation that comes their way.”
Social media users have also expressed shock the controversial cover was published, with one writing: “Using A.I for this gross presentation of a sexual harassment case within the workplace, how an editor said yes is beyond me.”
One X/Twitter user added that “reducing a sexual harassment case to some battle of the sexes fan fiction read is a crass new low,” while another wrote: “Incredibly tired of women’s experiences being used as a gag or made fun of.
Another highlighted a recent joke which aired on the 50th anniversary Saturday Night Live concert, when Reynolds seemed to surprise wife Lively by referencing her legal feud: “Ryan was weird for the snl joke the hollywood reporter now unveiling this distasteful cover. we are never going to get to a place where women feel safe to talk about their experiences in the workplace.”
The legal battle referenced in the joke – which SNL recently denied the actor had pitched himself – began back in December, when Lively filed a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against Baldoni. In it, she accused him of “inappropriate and unwelcome behaviour” and claimed he was trying to “destroy” her reputation.
Baldoni has denied all accusations and countersued on January 16, including Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane in the suit. In the aftermath of Lively’s suit, Baldoni was dropped by his talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME). He also had a women’s solidarity award rescinded.
More recently, an amended complaint was filed by Lively earlier this week (February 18), in which she alleged that she wasn’t the only one made to feel uncomfortable by Baldoni, and two other actors would be willing to testify as much in court.
In addition, a defamation claim has been added to the suit, Lively alleged that Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has issued “inflammatory content to media outlets” and has been “saying anything, whether true or false, that will harm Ms. Lively’s credibility and intimidate others from speaking up on her behalf.”
Crisis PR representative Jed Wallace, who has worked with Baldoni’s team, is now named as a defendant in the suit along with his company, Street Relations Inc.
In a statement to Variety, Baldoni and Wayfarer’s legal team said: “Our clients have been transparent in providing receipts, real time documents and video showing a completely different story than what has been manipulated and cherry picked to the media.
“Our clients have taken this matter and these issues very seriously notwithstanding the jokes made publicly by the plaintiff and her husband.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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