Why were Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni dismissed?

The claims were dismissed because the judge ruled Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee, and thus not covered by Title VII protections for sexual harassment.

What claims remain against Justin Baldoni in Blake Lively's lawsuit?

Two retaliation claims filed by Lively against Baldoni were left intact and will proceed to trial.

Did the judge consider the context of the movie scene for the harassment claims?

Yes, the judge considered the context of the movie scene, noting that creative artists need space to experiment and that Baldoni's alleged actions occurred within a performance.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Judge Tosses Lively's Harassment Claims Against Baldoni

Judge Tosses Lively's Harassment Claims Against Baldoni

2 Apr

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Summary

Judge dismissed sexual harassment claims due to independent contractor status.
Retaliation claims against Baldoni remain intact.
Judge noted conduct occurred within a movie scene context.

Judge Tosses Lively's Harassment Claims Against Baldoni

A federal judge in New York has dismissed sexual harassment claims brought by actor Blake Lively against her co-star Justin Baldoni concerning their roles in the film "It Ends With Us." Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled on Thursday that Lively, as an independent contractor, could not pursue these claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees from workplace discrimination.

The judge clarified that while Baldoni's alleged actions during filming, such as kissing Lively's forehead and leaning into her neck, might constitute harassment in a traditional workplace, they were viewed differently within the creative context of a movie scene. Liman stated that creative artists require space to experiment, and Baldoni's actions, especially if improvised, were not deemed sufficiently beyond reasonable expectations for a scene.