Newly unsealed court documents reveal troubling allegations about the It Ends With Us production.
Jenny Slate’s sealed deposition has now become public, offering a stark look at what she experienced working with director Justin Baldoni.
Her text messages and testimony paint a disturbing picture of onset behavior that left multiple cast members uncomfortable.
The documents were released Tuesday, January 20, as part of the escalating legal battle between Blake Lively and Baldoni.
Behind-the-Scenes Warnings Started Early
Slate’s deposition, conducted September 26 in New York, included several text messages she sent to her former agent during production. The messages reveal growing concerns about Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath’s behavior onset.
This week was really intense for a few reasons. It’s like fascinating and also so s—ty. Justin and Jamey [Heath] are truly unfit. I’m not scared or anything, just repulsed and deeply irritated, and I know Blake is experiencing that on a much more serious level.
Her concerns escalated as filming continued. Slate expressed particular alarm about what she characterized as dishonest behavior from both men.
I feel like it’s about to get really bad and I’m not sure what Blake’s limit is but she’s really taken a lot of crap from them, like crazy s—, and I’m not kidding when I tell you that Justin and Jamey me freak me out. Like they tell really weird lies and Justin is astoundingly wrongheaded.
The “Male Feminist” Contradiction
Slate took particular issue with Baldoni’s public persona versus his private behavior. She referenced his TED Talk about empowering women and redefining masculinity in her messages.
I really don’t get how he did a TED Talk. He is worse than most of the bros I’ve encountered, not because he’s predatory but because of his general fragility and misogyny, like not seeming to be aware of any of the obvious no-no’s.
She didn’t mince words about what she saw as fraudulent 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.’ Honestly I have no words to describe what a fraud he is.
Refusing to Promote Alongside Baldoni
According to unsealed text messages obtained by PEOPLE, Slate explicitly requested separation from both Baldoni and Heath during promotional activities.
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.
She described filming as deeply unpleasant and indicated she wasn’t alone in feeling this way.
I’m one of many who feel [this] way.
Slate noted both she and Lively escalated their concerns directly to Sony Pictures, the studio behind It Ends With Us.
An Inappropriate Comment Onset
During her deposition, Slate addressed a specific incident where Baldoni allegedly made an uncomfortable remark about her appearance.
I can say this because my wife is here, but you look sexy in what you’re wearing.
Slate characterized this comment as inappropriate for any professional environment. She explained the remark was about her personally, not her character, making it irrelevant to their work.
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 immediately object, Slate cited power dynamics.
I didn’t feel comfortable. He was my boss, and I just wanted to do my work and leave.
Strong Words About Character
Slate’s private messages included blunt assessments of Baldoni’s character and professionalism.
I honestly have never ever encountered anything like this dude. He’s the biggest clown and the most intense narcissist. Lots of lessons learned!
Lively’s Legal Team Responds
Tuesday afternoon brought a statement from Lively’s attorney addressing the newly public evidence. The statement emphasized how documentation proves concerns were raised early and repeatedly.
The attorney stated the evidence demonstrates Wayfarer understood complaints constituted “sexual harassment” concerns but failed to investigate properly. Instead, according to the statement, the production company allegedly attempted to “bury” those who spoke up through retaliatory actions.
The Escalating Legal Battle
This legal dispute began when Lively filed a complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department last December. Her allegations included sexual harassment onset and claims Baldoni orchestrated a deliberate smear campaign against her afterward.
She subsequently filed suit in New York federal court against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer.
Baldoni responded with a $400 million countersuit targeting Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane. His claims included:
- Civil extortion
- Defamation
- Breach of contract
- Invasion of privacy
Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s suit in June. The ruling found Lively’s claims protected under litigation privilege, meaning they couldn’t be considered defamatory.
Slate’s Public Support for Lively
When news first broke about Lively’s complaint in December 2024, Slate immediately voiced support for her costar. She described the allegations as both “terribly dark” and “disturbing.”
Representatives for Baldoni, Wayfarer, and Slate have not responded to media requests for comment on the newly unsealed deposition.
The unsealed documents add significant weight to ongoing allegations about workplace misconduct during It Ends With Us production. They provide contemporaneous evidence of concerns raised by multiple people involved with the film, documented through text messages sent during filming rather than reconstructed afterward.
What happens next remains unclear as both legal teams continue preparing their cases.