To better understand the dynamics at play, The Hollywood Reporter consulted Mia Schachter, an experienced intimacy coordinator who has worked on projects like Lessons in Chemistry and American Crime Story. Schachter’s analysis reveals a complex conflict that could have been prevented with better communication and professional boundaries.
The Scene in Question
The nearly 10-minute video, leaked to The Daily Mail by Baldoni’s legal team, shows three takes of a scene where Lively and Baldoni’s characters, Lily and Ryle, slow-dance in a bar. The script excerpt at the start of the video describes the scene as innocent: “Lily and Ryle slow dance in the bar. Patrons around them drinking and watching sports. Completely in their own world.”
However, the footage reveals moments of tension and discomfort. Baldoni, who directed the film and co-starred alongside Lively, attempts to kiss her during the scene, even though kissing was not scripted. Lively repeatedly pulls away, visibly uncomfortable.
The Role of an Intimacy Coordinator
Schachter explains that intimacy coordinators are typically brought on set for scenes involving simulated sex or nudity. For a scene like this—a simple slow dance—an intimacy coordinator might not have been present unless specifically requested.
“An intimacy coordinator would have been very clear: ‘We’re not doing any kissing. This is the kind of touch that is on the table. Nothing else is,’” Schachter says. “The problem here was that none of this was planned or discussed.”
This lack of communication is at the heart of the conflict. Baldoni’s decision to improvise a kiss without consulting Lively or the intimacy coordinators credited on the film created an uncomfortable and unprofessional environment.
Power Dynamics on Set
One of the most striking aspects of the video is the power dynamic between Lively and Baldoni. As the director, Baldoni held significant authority over the production, while Lively, despite being a household name, was still expected to take direction from him.
Schachter notes that Lively’s fame gave her some level of power, but it didn’t eliminate the inherent imbalance in their relationship. “Even though she’s Blake Lively and can say no and isn’t going to be fired for speaking her mind the way that somebody else might fear, she still has to keep working with him and keep the peace,” Schachter explains.
This dynamic is evident in the video, where Lively appears to be trying to stay lighthearted and avoid conflict, even as she pulls away from Baldoni’s advances.
Baldoni’s Team’s Perspective
Baldoni’s legal team sees the video as vindication, arguing that it disproves Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment. They claim the footage shows a professional and respectful working environment.
However, Schachter disagrees. “I see the opposite,” she says. “When someone has [Lively’s] level of fame and recognition, they do have a certain amount of power, but there’s always the actor-director relationship, and the director’s in charge.”
The video also includes unscripted dialogue between Lively and Baldoni, where they discuss their real-life partners. While this exchange seems harmless on the surface, Schachter points out that it highlights the blurred lines between their personal and professional interactions.
The Smell Comment: A Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back?
One of the most discussed moments in the video is when Baldoni compliments Lively’s spray tan, saying it smells good. According to Lively’s lawsuit, this comment bothered her.
Schachter explains that while the comment itself might not seem inappropriate, it could have been part of a larger pattern of behavior that made Lively uncomfortable. “It’s less about that particular comment and whether or not it was a straw that broke the camel’s back type of situation,” Schachter says. “She’s got a running list of moments where she felt uncomfortable and pushed, and that things that were inappropriate were happening.”
The Broader Implications
The feud between Lively and Baldoni highlights the challenges of navigating intimacy on set, especially when power dynamics and professional boundaries are not clearly defined. Schachter emphasizes the importance of communication and consent in such situations.
“In a scene like that, without an intimacy coordinator, I think it was his responsibility to ask Blake, ‘Hey, what do you think about kissing in this scene?’ if that’s what he wanted to see,” Schachter says. “But he didn’t ask her or even mention that it was something he wanted to shoot—he just went for it. She pulled away, and then he did it again. To me, that’s pretty damning, both as an actor and a director.”
The Legal Battle Continues
The release of the video has only intensified the legal battle between Lively and Baldoni. Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni responded with his own lawsuit, seeking $400 million in damages and accusing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of waging their own smear campaign.
The case has drawn widespread attention, with many criticizing Baldoni’s tactics and expressing frustration with the court’s lack of action. Lively’s team has filed multiple letters to the court, requesting intervention to stop the media campaign they say is being orchestrated by Baldoni’s team.
2 a.m. voice note from Justin Baldoni:
https://www.threads.net/@popfaction/post/DFWXSwkSbGM/media
Conclusion: A Preventable Conflict
The feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is a cautionary tale about the importance of clear communication, professional boundaries, and the role of intimacy coordinators on set. While the video from It Ends With Us has become a flashpoint in their legal battle, it also serves as a reminder of the complexities of filming intimate scenes and the need for greater accountability in the entertainment industry.
As Schachter puts it, “This clip really shows how complex it is. They are really strongly disagreeing about things like professionalism, etiquette, what’s appropriate, what’s not, what it means to be an actor.”
Ultimately, the case underscores the need for systemic change to ensure that all actors feel safe and respected on set. Whether through the presence of intimacy coordinators, clearer guidelines for directors, or a cultural shift in how intimacy is approached in filmmaking, the industry must do better to prevent conflicts like this from arising in the future.
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