Blake Lively Attributes Absence from 'SNL' Hosting to Justin Baldoni's Alleged Defamation
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Los Angeles, Dec 23 (NationPress) Hollywood actress Blake Lively has disclosed that she was unable to host the 'Saturday Night Live' Season 50 premiere due to her 'It Ends with Us' co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
In Lively's legal action against Baldoni, which charges him with damaging her reputation, she mentioned her 'SNL' Season 50 hosting opportunity as one of the prospects that were taken away amid the fallout from his alleged misconduct, reports 'Variety'.
“The consequences on Ms. Lively’s career were immediate and significant,” the complaint stated. “Given the persistent nature of the campaign and the resulting negative public perception, Ms. Lively did not feel it was appropriate to continue with public appearances or events without having to openly discuss what transpired on set”.
It further elaborated, “For instance, Ms. Lively canceled an important corporate event for her hair care brand, and she withdrew from her planned role as host for the premiere episode of the 50th anniversary season of ‘Saturday Night Live’ in September 2024”.
According to 'Variety', in the explosive filing submitted to the California Civil Rights Department, a meeting in January 2024 between Lively and Baldoni was discussed to address her return to the 'It Ends with Us' set after the dual Hollywood labor strikes concluded.
During the meeting, Lively asserted that Baldoni complained about her weight, discussed his intimate life inappropriately, and pressured her to reveal her religious beliefs. She also claimed that Jamey Heath, a producer of 'It Ends with Us' and the CEO of Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, showed her a video of his wife giving birth.
The complaint also included screenshots of messages and emails exchanged between Lively, Baldoni, and his team, indicating that if any issues between the co-stars of 'It Ends with Us' became public knowledge, they would initiate a campaign to tarnish her reputation.
