Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' Kids "Traumatized" by Alleged Justin Baldoni Smear Campaign

Blake Lively is disclosing the ramifications Justin Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign had on her family.

In documents the Gossip Girl alum filed with the California Civil Rights Department, she alleges that Baldoni sought out a smear campaign to ruin her reputation, which in turn “traumatized” her Ryan Reynolds’ children, James, 10, Inez, 8, Betty, 5, and Olin, born in 2023.

“Worst of all, however, has been the impact on their young children, who have been traumatized, and emotionally uprooted in ways that have substantially impacted their well-being” one of the complaints in the 80-page filing—a precursor to a lawsuit—states,".

Lively also argued in the filing that Baldoni, "It Ends With Us" producer Jamey Health, and their company Wayfarer Studios allegedly seeking out the assistance of public relations specialist Melissa Nathan to tarnish her reputation had emotional effects on herself and her husband of 12 years in addition to their children. 

“There are days when she has struggled to get out of bed, and she frequently chooses not to venture outside in public,” the filing also noted. “While she has fought to maintain her personal life and business interests, behind closed doors she has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety. She also has been experiencing repeated and painful physical symptoms as a result of this experience."

The complaint continued, “Mr. Reynolds, too, has been affected mentally, physically, and professionally by his wife and children’s pain.”

Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have denied the allegations, with their lawyer Bryan Freedman telling The New York Times, “These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”

After Lively made her filing, she issued a statement explaining her reasoning for seeking legal action.

“I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct,” she said in a statement to the NY Times, “and helps protect others who may be targeted.”

In the days since her filing was made, many people have spoken out in support of Lively including "It Ends With Us" author Colleen Hoover, Robyn Lively, Paul Feig, Amy Schumer, Gwyneth Paltrow, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, Bart Johnson, Michele Morrone, Brandon Sklenar, and more.