New court documents have revealed troubling allegations about workplace conduct on a major Hollywood film set.
Text messages from actress Jenny Slate paint a disturbing picture of her experience filming the romantic drama It Ends With Us.
The unsealed evidence, released ahead of a summary judgment hearing in Blake Lively’s ongoing case against director Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, includes messages Slate sent to her team in June 2023.
These revelations add significant weight to allegations of inappropriate behavior and misconduct behind the scenes of what appeared to be a routine film production.
Slate’s Unfiltered Messages About Baldoni
In text messages to her team, Slate, 43, was explicit about wanting distance from Baldoni, 41, who directed the film and played her onscreen love interest’s counterpart.
i don’t want to do anything with Justin, i don’t want to talk about him, like … nothing. And the same goes for Jamey [Heath], who is truly unprofessional.
Slate didn’t hold back in her assessment of the filming experience. She described the production environment in stark terms that suggest systematic problems rather than isolated incidents.
has been a really gross and disturbing shoot, and I’m one of many who feel [this] way
Perhaps most significantly, Slate revealed that she and Lively, 38, “both complained directly” to the studio about their concerns.
Accusations of Performative Allyship
Slate’s messages took particular aim at what she characterized as Baldoni’s public persona versus his private behavior.
Justin is truly a false ally and I’m unwilling to do anything that promotes the image that he’s crafting as a ‘male feminist’ … like … honestly i have no words to describe what a fraud he is
This accusation carries particular weight given Baldoni’s public profile. He has positioned himself as an advocate for progressive gender politics and frequently discusses masculinity and feminism in interviews.
Slate’s characterization suggests a significant disconnect between public image and private conduct. She went further in another message, stating she had “never ever encountered anything like this dude.”
Her assessment continued with strong language about Baldoni’s character.
He’s the biggest clown and the most intense narcissist. Lots of lessons learned!
Inappropriate Comments on Set
Beyond the text messages, a transcript from Slate’s September 26 deposition in New York revealed specific allegations about Baldoni’s conduct.
Slate testified that Baldoni made an inappropriate comment about her appearance on set one day. According to her deposition, he said, “I can say this because my wife is here, but you look sexy in what you’re wearing.”
Slate’s response to the comment highlighted why such workplace behavior creates problems even when it might seem minor to observers.
The comment was about me, not my character. It wasn’t useful for my work. It wasn’t anything I wanted. It was unwanted and had no place, in my professional experience.
When asked why she didn’t address the comment directly with Baldoni in that moment, Slate explained the power dynamics at play.
I didn’t feel comfortable. He was my boss, and I just wanted to do my work and leave.
Understanding Power Dynamics on Film Sets
Slate’s testimony illustrates why workplace misconduct often goes unreported in real time. Directors hold tremendous power over actors during production.
Directors control multiple aspects of an actor’s experience:
- How scenes are shot and edited
- Which takes are used in final cuts
- Overall career reputation through industry connections
- Day-to-day working conditions on set
This power imbalance makes confronting inappropriate behavior risky. Actors face potential professional consequences for speaking up, from difficult working conditions to damage to their careers.
The fact that multiple people reportedly shared concerns suggests problems beyond individual personality conflicts.
Legal Responses and Timeline
Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman responded to allegations through TMZ in June 2025, stating that Baldoni “wants to be vindicated, and that’s all that he cares about.”
Freedman added that Baldoni “knows who he is. He knows what he’s done. He knows what he hasn’t done. And he wants the truth to come out.”
Baldoni has denied Lively’s allegations. His legal team indicated he’s “waiting for his day in court, where he can speak out to tell the truth.”
The case is scheduled to go to trial in May 2026, giving both sides time to present evidence and witnesses.
Support from Co-Stars
When news of Lively’s complaint against Baldoni first emerged in December 2024, Slate publicly supported her co-star.
As Blake Lively’s cast mate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation. Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.
Lively’s attorney Sigrid McCawley described the newly unsealed evidence as containing “testimony, messages and evidence from numerous eyewitnesses backing the claims in Ms. Lively’s lawsuit.”
Representatives for both Baldoni and Slate were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
As the case moves toward trial, these unsealed documents provide insight into allegations that extend beyond a single complaint to suggest broader patterns of workplace conduct on It Ends With Us.