Blake Lively’s longtime fitness trainer recalled feeling “uncomfortable” during an interaction with Justin Baldoni.
Don Saladino recalled communicating with the “It Ends With Us” director “a handful of times” in February 2023, according to a court declaration obtained by Us Weekly Wednesday.
“He provided information on his nutrition and workout regimen. His existing workout program included regular back extensions,” Saladino said of Baldoni.
“I recommended Mr. Baldoni a workout program and provided information to him about my standard nutrition plan,” Saladino continued. “I also recommended a specific individual who lived near Mr. Baldoni at the time and who could act as his trainer.”
Saladino, who said he never met Baldoni in person, claimed the director called him on the phone during his training to ask a personal question about the “Gossip Girl” alum.
“I recall that Mr. Baldoni asked me how much Ms. Lively would weigh by the start of filming,” Saladino claimed in the filing. “He said that he was asking about her weight in connection with a scripted lift scene, suggesting that he needed to know Ms. Lively’s weight to determine whether he could perform the lift.”
Saladino said Baldoni’s question made him “very uncomfortable.”
“I have never experienced someone reaching out to me about a client’s weight,” Saladino claimed. “I felt that Mr. Baldoni’s explanation for his question was dishonest, given that, based on my understanding of Mr. Baldoni’s workout regimen, he would easily be able to perform a lift in a range that would include Ms. Lively.”
The gym coach claimed he did not share Lively’s weight with Baldoni and immediately alerted the actress about the incident.
“Lively seemed embarrassed and hurt that Mr. Baldoni had asked about her weight without her permission,” Saladino recalled.
Page Six has reached out to Baldoni’s rep for comment.
Saladino’s statement confirmed reports in 2024 that Lively allegedly felt “fat-shamed” by Baldoni’s inquiry into her weight.
At the time, sources claimed Baldoni asked a trainer about Lively’s weight before shooting a scene where he had to lift her up.
The “Jane the Virgin” star, who reportedly has a history of back pain, wanted to make sure that he could lift her without injury.
Lively felt “bothered” by his question about her weight — especially considering she gave birth to her fourth child just months before production for their movie began.
The “A Simple Favor” star, 38, sued Baldoni, 41, for alleged sexual harassment on the set of their movie in December 2024. She also accused him of retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages.
Baldoni denied the accusations and hit back with a $400 million countersuit accusing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of defamation.
He also accused the New York Times — the first outlet to report on Lively’s lawsuit — of libel.
Last June, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit.
Lively’s lawsuit is still ongoing and trial is scheduled to begin on May 18.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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