Justin Baldoni’s lawyer used popular TV series Heated Rivalry to help argue that Blake Lively‘s sexual harassment lawsuit against her It Ends With Us costar should be dismissed.
During a court hearing on Thursday, January 22, Baldoni’s team addressed the allegations made by Lively, 38, about alleged improvisation during filming, which they argued didn’t constitute gender-based harassment, according to Variety.
“I don’t know if the court is familiar with the show Heated Rivalry,” attorney Jonathan Bach said, which caused laughter in the courtroom. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman replied that he was not familiar with the show.
Bach argued that Heated Rivalry — a gay romance drama that became an overnight success late last year — featured several “explicit” scenes. According to the attorney, if a male actor on Heated Rivalry improvised a sexually charged scene with another man, there potentially wouldn’t be a complaint of gender-based discrimination.
Bach specifically claimed that any physical touch between Baldoni, 41, and Lively while cameras were rolling was a result of their characters interacting in the film. He also argued Lively knew It Ends With Us would include “hot and sexy scenes,” which would become “steamy and turbulent” when she signed on to star in the film.
Lively’s counsel Esra Hudson slammed Bach’s argument, claiming that Lively had not consented to kissing and nuzzling in a scene, which provided basis for a claim of gender-based discrimination. Hudson continued to allege that Lively was “kissed, nuzzled and touched” in ways she hadn’t consented.
Liman took arguments from both sides under submission. He is expected to rule on the motion at a later point ahead of the scheduled May trial.
Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, It Ends With Us followed Lily Bloom (Lively) as her relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) became abusive. She eventually found an ally in her high school love interest, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar). Throughout the press tour in 2024, Baldoni — who directed the film — and Lively were not seen doing promotion together, which sparked rumors of a falling out.
Lively subsequently filed paperwork in December 2024 accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, creating a “hostile work environment” and causing her “severe emotional distress” while working together. Baldoni, who has denied the allegations, countersued, which was later dismissed by a judge.
At the time of the initial lawsuit news, Lively received public support from Sklenar, Hoover, 45, and others associated with the film.
“Blake Lively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Hoover wrote via Instagram at the time. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
More recently, Hoover broke her silence on the ongoing drama.
“It feels like a circus,” Hoover told Elle in November 2025. “When there are real people involved, with real feelings and emotions.”
Hoover said the controversy has “impacted some of the actors’ careers” in “huge” ways, adding, “I just find it all around sad.” Hoover emphasized that she’s “trying to stay removed from the negativity” as Lively and Baldoni’s legal drama continued its back and forth.
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