Following the controversy surrounding the release of It Ends With Us this past summer, the 37-year-old actress has taken legal action against her 40-year-old co-star, alleging sexual harassment and a coordinated effort to damage her reputation.
The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel follows Lily Bloom (Lively), a woman who moves to a new city and falls in love with a man named Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) – who becomes abusive.
Bloom’s life then takes an unexpected turn when her first love, Atlas Corrigan, re-enters her life, forcing her to confront her tumultuous relationship with Ryle and make a difficult choice.
Filming for the movie began in May 2023 – just a few months after the Gossip Girl star welcomed her fourth child, a son named Olin, with husband Ryan Reynolds.
According to the bombshell lawsuit filed by Lively, which was obtained by TMZ, Baldoni made critical comments about the Age of Adaline actress’ appearance.
One incident that was included in the complaint states that the Jane The Virgin star “cried” in his dressing room on the second day of filming after social media users allegedly said “Lively looked old and unattractive based on paparazzi photos from the set,” cited by Too Fab.
“[Lively] tried to reassure [Baldoni] that she should look authentic in the scenes depicted in the photos, which were just after her character had been abused by her fictional husband, rather than ‘hot,'” the complaint noted.
However, the actress claimed that Baldoni – who was also the director – “appeared focused” on her “sexual appeal above all else,” with the filing alleging that her co-star’s “lengthy outburst caused a delay in shooting, forcing an emotional scene to be shot haphazardly”.
Another accusation made in the explosive filing was that Baldoni “routinely degraded” Lively by “finding back-channel ways of criticizing her body and weight,” such as discreetly contacting her personal trainer less than four months after she gave birth.
It’s also been reported that the Cloud actor asked his on-set trainer how much Lively weighed and how could he train to protect himself from a back injury before filming a scene that required him to pick her up. However, per the lawsuit “no such scene” wasn’t included in the film.
Baldoni’s alleged pattern of body-shaming didn’t end there as according to Lively, he further humiliated her by referring her to a weight-loss specialist under the guise of providing medical support for strep throat.
“When Ms. Lively went to fill out the privacy forms, she saw the expert was not what Mr. Baldoni had represented her to be, but was instead a weight-loss specialist,” the complaint states.
According to the lawsuit, a meeting was held to address Lively’s concerns regarding her involvement in the film. Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, was among those in attendance.
The mom-of-four’s had some demands, which were: “No more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni’s alleged previous ‘pornography addiction’, no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew’s genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mention of Blake’s dead father”.
“No more adding of sex scenes, oral sex or on camera climaxing by BL [Blake Lively] outside the scope of the script BL approved when signing onto the project,” were other demands mentioned in the complaint.
Sony Pictures, who distributed the movie, approved of the actress’ requests. However, Lively alleged in the lawsuit that Baldoni took part in what was described as a “social manipulation” campaign launched to “destroy” her reputation.
This was documented through emails and text messages – reportedly obtained via subpoena – allegedly between the actor, his publicist, and his crisis management team.
In a statement shared with The New York Times, Lively said she hopes her legal action “helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted”.
Per PEOPLE, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, fired back at the filing, calling all of the claims “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt”.
Freedman said Wayfarer Studios “did nothing proactive nor retaliated” against the actress, blasting the lawsuit as “another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation”.
Conan O’Brien’s parents sadly die within days of each other, star pays tribute
Conan O’Brien has paid tribute to the remarkable lives of his parents, Dr. Thomas O’Brien and Ruth Reardon O’Brien, following their recent deaths just days apart.
Dr. Thomas O’Brien passed away on Monday, December 9, after a period of declining health, according to The Boston Globe. Describing Dr. O’Brien as a “visionary who addressed dangers of antimicrobial resistance”, the Globe added that his “health had been failing”.
Three days later, his wife Ruth died “peacefully” on December 12, as noted in her obituary shared by Bell-O’Dea Funeral Home in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Thomas was 95, and Ruth was 92. The couple had been married for 66 years.
In obituaries written for The Globe, Conan, 61, described his father as “the dreamer” and his mother as “the realist” in their enduring partnership.
“My dad was the one who was saying, ‘I’m off to Peru with a change of clothes in my briefcase to try and launch this website for a hospital there high in the mountains,'” Conan shared.
Thomas O’Brien was a pioneering researcher in antimicrobial drug resistance and served as the first director of the infectious diseases division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His work often took him across the globe, sometimes with his family in tow. Conan fondly remembered a seventh-grade trip to South America, a moment he credits with sparking his love of travel.
“He thought, ‘You’re going to learn more traveling through these various neighborhoods and cities in South America for a week and a half than you will in public school in Brookline.’ I think he put the travel bug in me,” Conan said.
Meanwhile, Ruth forged an iconic career of her own, becoming the second woman partner at the prestigious law firm Ropes & Gray, all while managing a busy household.
“As my dad was rushing around doing this incredible work, my mom was the one who really saw to it when we were little kids that we were fed and our clothes were laid out, and that we got to our dental appointments and medical appointments,” Conan continued in his tribute.
The couple’s commitment to hard work and discipline left a lasting impression on their children. “I think what my mother and father saw in each other was that they were kindred spirits,” Conan reflected.
Thomas and Ruth married in 1958 and built a life together filled with both professional achievement and family devotion. They raised five children: sons Justin, Neal, and Luke, and daughters Kate and Jane. The couple also had nine grandchildren, including two of Conan’s children with his wife, Liza Powel O’Brien.
A funeral service for both Thomas and Ruth was held on Wednesday, December 18, in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, where family and friends gathered to honor their memory.
Our thoughts go out to O’Brien’s family at this time.
Hilarious toddler steals the show as President Biden visits Children’s National Hospital
An unexpected guest stole the spotlight during President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden’s visit to Children’s National Hospital.
The Bidens visited the hospital in Washington, D.C. on Friday (December 20) afternoon to spread holiday cheer to the patients and their families.
While the First Lady captivated the audience with her reading of the classic tale, Twas the Night Before Christmas, a small child in a light blue jumper helped provide some much-needed entertainment.
Watch the moment below:The toddler, who was sucking on a pacifier, approached the couple and gave the president a small red ball.
The 82-year-old then gently held the ball in his hands and attempted to quiet the curious child by inviting them to sit on his lap.
The toddler did so before quickly wriggling free and left. They then returned and threw a small ball at the president.
“Reading and entertainment,” Jill, 73, quipped after she finished reading the poem.
The hospital visit continued a historical tradition of the President’s wives lifting the spirits of children who are too sick to be at home for Christmas.
Children’s Hospital CEO Michelle Riley-Brown praised Biden for tagging along to the annual event. “We’ve never had a president join for four years straight,” she said.
The president then asked permission to make a brief statement and sought to lift the children’s spirits.
“This is a tough time to be here,” he said, acknowledging that he knew from personal experience as first wife Neilia and daughter Naomi were tragically killed in a Christmastime car crash in 1972 – the same year he was elected to the U.S. Senate.
The horrific accident left young sons Beau and Hunter injured. Biden spent hours at a Wilmington hospital over the holidays during their recovery.
“Keep the hope,” he told the patients at the hospital. “You’re in our prayers, you’re in our thoughts, and thank you for letting us join you.”
The president, who is leaving office in one month, then pointed to a child sitting in the front row, saying there is a future president here someday.
“There’s a future president! There’s a president right there! So anyway, you’re in your thoughts, you’re in our prayers,” he added.
He also offered the microphone to his new young friend, who chose not to speak, as he instead playfully spoke into the mic, “Ouah-ouah-ouah-ouah”.
‘Shawshank Redemption’ star William Sadler issues heartbreaking statement as his wife of 46 years tragically dies
William Sadler – known for his roles in Salem’s Lot and Roswell – has shared the heartbreaking news that his wife, Marni Joan Bakst, has passed away.
The 74-year-old actor announced Bakst’s passing in a heartfelt Facebook tribute on Thursday, December 19, sharing a touching throwback photo of the couple holding coffee mugs on the morning of their wedding day, May 6, 1978.
In his tribute, he revealed that Marni died following her battle with cancer.
“Early yesterday morning, my wife, Marni Bakst, finally lost her two year battle with cancer,” Sadler wrote. “After what has been an amazing forty five years of marriage I don’t think I can fathom or put into words much of this yet.”
The Shawshank Redemption star continued: “Maybe with time and a little distance I’ll find it easier to describe this extraordinary artist, feminist, wife, and mother, but for now I want to thank you all for your patience and kind words. Yours, Bill.”
The actor’s fans flooded the comments section with messages of support for the star, with one person writing: “So incredibly sorry to hear of Marni’s passing. My heart is with you.”
A second added: “Deepest sympathy, Marni was an amazing lady, kind and funny. Big hugs [to] you and your family. RiP Marni.”
Another penned: “May her memory always be a blessing to you and your family. I remember meeting her and she was absolutely amazing. My most sincere condolences.”
Throughout their 45 years of marriage, Sadler and Bakst welcomed one daughter, Sadler Colley Bakst.
On their 45th wedding anniversary last year, Sadler shared the same wedding-day photo, penning a loving tribute to his wife that encapsulated their bond. “This picture was taken the morning of our wedding, exactly forty five years ago today. The extraordinary looking young woman with the huge eyes is Ms. Marni Bakst. The lucky young man is me,” he wrote on May 6, 2023.
“All these years later I still bring her coffee, she still has those beautiful eyes, and I’m still the luckiest man on this, or any other planet. Happy Anniversary Marni! Love always, Bill,” the message continued.
Our thoughts go out to Sadler, as well as Bakst’s family and loved ones at this time.
‘Hawk Tuah Girl’ Haliey Welch speaks out after lawsuit is filed over crypto coin crash
Haliey Welch has addressed fans for the first time in weeks following the dramatic collapse of her cryptocurrency venture, $HAWK Token.
The 22-year-old social media personality – better known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl” – went viral earlier this year after appearing in an interview during a night out with friends.
When asked to reveal one thing that could drive a man wild in the bedroom, Welch quipped: “You gotta give it that hawk tuah, and spit on that thing.”
The raunchy catchphrase spawned a showbiz career for Welch, who now hosts the popular Talk Tuah podcast.
While 2024 was a breakthrough year for Haliey, it has also brought significant challenges, as Welch faced controversy surrounding her involvement in cryptocurrency.
The podcast host launched her meme coin, $HAWK, hoping to capitalize on her online fame. Later, she described the venture as “a good way to interact with [her] fans”.
Inspired by internet trends, Meme coins have become a volatile force in the cryptocurrency market.
The initial surge in $HAWK’s value, reaching a $490 million market cap within hours, quickly turned sour. Within three hours, the coin’s value plummeted by a staggering 91%, according to CoinTelegraph.
This dramatic crash has fueled accusations from fans and investors that Hailey orchestrated a “rug pull” – a fraudulent scheme in the cryptocurrency world where developers abandon a project after raising funds from investors. This leaves them with worthless tokens or NFTs and the developers with the funds they raised.
Many fans took to X to complain about their alleged losses. Some people claimed to have lost their “life savings”, while others called for legal action to be taken against the star.
On Thursday (December 19), a lawsuit was filed by investors in the U.S. District Court in New York against the $HAWK creators, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Filed by investors, it accuses overHere Ltd., its founder, Clinton So, and social media influencer, Alex Larson Schultz, as well as the Tuah The Moon Foundation of unlawfully promoting and selling unregistered cryptocurrency.
After two weeks of silence, Welch took to her X platform to voice her commitment to helping those who have lost money. “I take this situation extremely seriously and want to address my fans, the investors who have been affected, and the broader community,” she penned on X.
“I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and resolve this matter,” she continued. “If you have experienced losses related to this, please contact Burwick Law using the link below.”
Welch has maintained she did not have an active role in the $HAWK coin rollout.
Despite her prominent role in promoting the cryptocurrency to her 2.6 million Instagram followers and podcast audience, the 22-year-old was not a named defendant in the lawsuit.
Welch had initially described the venture as a good way to interact with her fans.
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban has stepped in to defend the young creator in recent days, telling The Washington Post‘s Jules Terpak: “It wasn’t something she fully understood. But she trusted the people around her,” cited by The Independent.
Both overHere and So have denied wrongdoing, and defended Welch. “We have been extremely transparent about the limited scope and extent of our involvement in the Hawk Tuah token project,” a spokesperson told Daily Mail. “We are confident that we have done nothing wrong.”
’90 Day Fiancé’ star David Murphey’s cause of death is revealed
David Murphey, a star in 90 Day Fiancé, passed away aged 66 and his cause of death has now been revealed.
Murphey’s family announced his passing on December 11, 2024, in a heartfelt statement, as reported by the Daily Mail.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that David Murphey, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away at home on December 11, 2024, after experiencing health issues over the last several years. He was 66 years old,” the statement read.
The family shared details of Murphey’s life, highlighting his career and personal passions: “David was a veteran, small business owner, and software engineer. He had recently retired from the Clark County Treasurer’s office in Nevada, having also worked for H&R Block and IGT.
“He was also well known for his time as a cast member on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days. His time on the show allowed him to connect with viewers, see the world, and share his experiences with his thousands of followers on Instagram.
“He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and fans. David is survived by his two sisters and his cat, Gamera. The family asked for privacy during this difficult time.”
The statement also reflected on Murphey’s passion for animal welfare, particularly his love for cats.
“As many knew, David had a fierce love for cats. He always made an effort to adopt cats and give them a good loving home.
“David’s choice for adopting was from The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas. For friends and fans who want to help, we ask that you honor his memory by making a donation to The Animal Foundation in his name.”His cause of death has been confirmed as heart-related complications, including cardiac arrhythmia and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, according to a statement from a Clark County, Nevada spokesperson shared with TMZ.
Murphey also had a history of pulmonary embolism—a potentially fatal blockage in a lung artery caused by a blood clot traveling from another part of the body. Officials have ruled his death as natural causes.
Additionally, sources told TMZ that Murphey had been battling liver cancer in the time leading up to his passing.
Murphey rose to fame as a cast member on the fourth season of the 90 Day Fiancé spinoff, which aired in 2020. The show chronicled couples who met online and their first in-person encounters.
Murphey’s storyline centered on his relationship with Lana, a woman he met on a Ukrainian dating website.
After multiple trips to Ukraine, the pair finally met in person on his fifth visit. The two became engaged but eventually went their separate ways.
Murphey discussed the split on a 2022 episode of 90 Day Diaries, per ET.
“She thought that, ‘Well, now that we’re engaged, now you can help me do the things that you promised,’ like, get her some English lessons, actually move her into an apartment,” Murphey shared.
“But part of my conditions for doing that was to get her off the [dating] website and she didn’t get off the websites, so I didn’t offer any of those bonuses, so four months into our engagement, we just stopped communicating.”
Our thoughts are with Murphey’s loved ones at this difficult time.
