Los Angeles, CA – A 27-minute proposal video by Justin Baldoni for his now-wife, Emily Baldoni, has resurfaced online, igniting fresh scrutiny amid a lawsuit filed by his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, who has accused Baldoni of harassment and workplace misconduct.
The video, originally uploaded by Baldoni’s company, Wayfarer Studios, showcases an elaborate 2012 proposal involving flash mobs, lip-sync performances, and a staged drama, sparking mixed reactions on social media. Meanwhile, the lawsuit filed by Lively sheds light on allegations of severe emotional distress caused by Baldoni’s behavior on set.
The Proposal: A 27-Minute Spectacle
Baldoni’s proposal video, which fans unearthed after Lively’s allegations came to light, begins at Blu Jam Café, the restaurant where Baldoni and Emily went on their first date. He orchestrated a series of grand gestures, including:
- Lip-sync performances to NSYNC’s “God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You”, Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love to You,” and ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”
- A flash mob at a mall to Bruno Mars’ hit song “Marry Me.”
- A staged crime drama, featuring Baldoni running with a briefcase before discovering the engagement ring.
The video culminates in a heartfelt moment at the restaurant, where Baldoni proposes to Emily after a montage of their special moments. The elaborate production, while praised by some as romantic, has been criticized by others as self-indulgent.
Social Media Backlash
Following Lively’s lawsuit, many users on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok revisited the proposal video, sharing scathing critiques:
- “Feeling vindicated because I’ve ALWAYS thought Justin Baldoni was sketchy ever since that cringe-worthy flash mob proposal video,” wrote one user.
- Another TikTok creator commented, “If your boyfriend makes you watch a 30-minute video of himself as a proposal, you need to run. This is a red flag.”
Blake Lively’s Lawsuit: Allegations of Misconduct
Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment during the production of It Ends With Us, a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller. The allegations include:
- Displaying inappropriate material: Lively claims Baldoni repeatedly showed nude videos and images of women.
- Uncomfortable conversations: Discussions about Baldoni’s alleged pornography addiction and sexual exploits were reportedly held in her presence.
- Personal boundaries crossed: Lively alleges Baldoni made comments about her weight and falsely claimed to have communicated with her late father.
The lawsuit also reveals that Lively requested the studio implement safeguards to ensure a professional environment, which Sony Pictures approved. However, she alleges that Baldoni retaliated by orchestrating a campaign to tarnish her reputation, backed by text messages from his crisis PR team included as evidence.
Baldoni Responds to the Lawsuit
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, dismissed the allegations as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” Freedman further accused Lively of causing disruptions on set, claiming she threatened to skip filming and promotional activities, which allegedly impacted the film’s release.
Career Fallout
In the wake of the lawsuit, Baldoni has reportedly been dropped by his management agency, WME, signaling significant professional repercussions. The controversy has overshadowed his role as director and producer of It Ends With Us, which had already drawn criticism during its promotional phase.
Support for Lively
Lively’s close friends and co-stars from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants—America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn—have issued a statement of solidarity.
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign to destroy her reputation. She demonstrated immense courage in advocating for a safe workplace for herself and others,” the statement read.
Revisiting Baldoni’s Proposal in Context
The resurfacing of Baldoni’s proposal video has fueled debates about his character, with critics arguing that the over-the-top display mirrors the alleged self-centered behavior described in Lively’s lawsuit.
One viral TikTok creator summed it up: “You can tell everything about a man by the way he proposes. This wasn’t about his future wife; it was all about him.”