sexual harassment

Blake Livelys Deposition Delayed in Legal Dispute with Justin Baldoni

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Blake Lively’s deposition in her ongoing legal battle against Justin Baldoni has been postponed, as confirmed by Us Weekly. Initially scheduled for July 17, 2025, in New York City, the deposition will now take place on July 31. The delay was mutually agreed upon by both parties after social media expert Jed Wallace was dismissed from the case earlier that day due to jurisdictional issues. The dismissal of Wallace, which occurred without prejudice, allows Lively the option to refile by July 30. Both Lively and Baldoni’s legal teams require additional time to review the complaint, which may affect the deposition’s proceedings. A representative for Lively stated, “Ms. Lively respects the Court’s decision, which has nothing to do with the merits of her allegations about Mr. Wallace’s role in the smear campaign and relates solely to the procedural question of whether he is subject to jurisdiction in New York or elsewhere. We are currently evaluating our numerous options for holding Mr. Wallace accountable for the pivotal role he served in the retaliatory effort that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties paid him at least tens of thousands of dollars a month to perform.” In a related note, Lively is set to testify during the trial against Baldoni. Her attorney, Mike Gottlieb, emphasized the importance of the trial as a platform for Lively to present her story. “The ultimate moment for a plaintiff’s story to be told is at trial,” he stated. Baldoni’s legal team has previously accused Lively of attempting to leverage her celebrity status to influence the deposition process. They asserted that, as defendants, the Wayfarer Parties are entitled to depose Lively to gather evidence crucial to their defense, including selecting the deposition’s location. The legal entanglement between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024, when Lively filed a lawsuit against her former co-star and director, alleging sexual harassment, the creation of a hostile work environment, and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni has denied all allegations and has countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane, claiming civil extortion and defamation. All parties have denied these claims. In June, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane. Following the judge’s ruling, Lively’s legal team expressed satisfaction, stating, “Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit.” They further described Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit as a “sham” and indicated plans to pursue attorneys’ fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties. Despite the recent legal victories for Lively, Baldoni’s team remains resolute. After the dismissal of his lawsuit, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, reaffirmed their commitment to fighting Lively’s claims, stating, “The Court’s decision on the motion to dismiss has no effect whatsoever on the truth that there was no harassment nor any smear campaign.” As it stands, the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is far from over, with a trial scheduled for March 2026. Fans and observers alike will be watching closely as this high-profile case unfolds.

Tyler Perry Accuser Speaks Out After Sexual Assault Lawsuit

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Derek Dixon, an actor and former employee of Tyler Perry, has publicly addressed the allegations he made against the renowned filmmaker in a $260 million sexual assault lawsuit filed last month. In his first interview since the claims emerged, Dixon shared his motivations and experiences, shedding light on the troubling dynamics he alleges existed during his time working on Perry’s productions. “I couldn’t just let him get away with this,” Dixon told *The Hollywood Reporter* on July 10. “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them.” His comments reflect a broader concern about workplace harassment and the need for accountability in the entertainment industry. Dixon’s lawsuit, filed on June 13 in Los Angeles, accuses Perry of quid pro quo sexual harassment, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other serious allegations. The actor, who appeared on Perry’s BET series *The Oval* starting in 2021, claims that Perry created a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” during their professional relationship. The lawsuit details multiple incidents of alleged harassment, including claims that Perry groped Dixon and even entered his bed without consent. Dixon emphasized that his goal with the lawsuit is to pave the way for future generations of actors and creatives, ensuring they do not have to choose between their careers and their dignity. In response to the allegations, Perry has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. His attorney, Matthew Boyd, characterized the lawsuit as a “scam,” asserting that Perry will not be intimidated by what he calls fabricated claims of harassment. Boyd stated, “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam.” Dixon recounted his initial meeting with Perry in September 2019 while working in Atlanta. After they exchanged phone numbers, Dixon was subsequently invited to audition for *The Oval*. However, he alleges that the first inappropriate encounter occurred in January 2022 when he stayed at Perry’s guest house. According to Dixon, Perry climbed into bed with him and began rubbing his leg, to which Dixon responded by jumping up and asserting his disinterest in any sexual advances. Despite his clear rejection, Dixon claims that Perry continued to send him messages, which he chose not to respond to. Reflecting on the situation, Dixon expressed regret for allowing his gratitude for Perry’s professional support to overshadow his self-respect. He noted that he was initially too afraid to come forward with his allegations, fearing the backlash he would face. “I knew it would be awful. And I was right,” he admitted, highlighting the challenges many individuals face when considering whether to report harassment. Dixon’s experience is not isolated; the entertainment industry has a long history of sexual misconduct scandals, with high-profile cases like that of Harvey Weinstein drawing attention to the urgent need for change. Dixon’s allegations against Perry underscore the ongoing struggle for safety and respect in Hollywood. As the legal proceedings unfold, Dixon hopes that his actions will inspire others to speak out against harassment and abuse in the industry. He believes that no one should have to endure such treatment, regardless of their position or status. “Regardless of his sexual orientation or gender, he should not be speaking to any of his employees about their sexual preferences or physically assaulting them,” Dixon stated. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for both Perry and the broader entertainment community, as it raises essential questions about power dynamics, consent, and accountability in Hollywood. As Dixon continues to pursue justice, his story serves as a reminder of the importance of creating safe working environments for all artists and creatives.

Blake Livelys Request to Access Wayfarer Investigation Documents Denied

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Blake Lively recently faced a setback in her ongoing legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, as a judge denied her motion to access documents pertaining to an investigation conducted by Wayfarer Studios, the company co-founded by Baldoni. This ruling, issued by Judge Lewis J. Liman, has significant implications for Lively’s allegations against Baldoni regarding sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” The court documents, which were made available to Us Weekly, revealed that Judge Liman deemed the investigation documents as protected under attorney-client privilege and attorney work product. This means that while Lively sought to gain insight into Wayfarer’s internal investigation into her claims, the studio and Baldoni are not allowed to utilize any of the protected information in their defense. Lively’s legal team, consisting of attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, expressed their disappointment with the ruling. They emphasized that Wayfarer had a legal obligation to investigate the concerns raised by Lively and others regarding Baldoni’s conduct on set, dating back to May 2023. They stated, “Among other claims, Ms. Lively sued Wayfarer specifically for its failure to conduct such an investigation — an independent cause of action under California law.” The judge’s decision comes amidst a tumultuous legal back-and-forth between Lively and Baldoni, which began in December 2024. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. In response, Baldoni countersued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane for $400 million, alleging civil extortion and defamation. Both Lively and her team have vehemently denied these allegations. Earlier this month, Lively celebrated a partial legal victory when a judge dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit against her, Reynolds, and Sloane. Following the ruling, Lively took to social media to express her gratitude and reflect on the challenges she faced. She stated, “Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organizations united in defending women’s rights to speak up for their safety. Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us.” Despite the dismissal of Baldoni’s lawsuit, the judge allowed him and his legal team to amend their claims related to breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract. This development indicates that the legal battle is far from over, with Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, asserting that the latest ruling does not signify a victory for Lively. He stated, “While the Court dismissed the defamation-related claims, the Court has invited us to amend four out of the seven claims against Ms. Lively, which will showcase additional evidence and refined allegations.” As both parties navigate this complex legal landscape, the public continues to watch closely, eager to see how this high-profile case unfolds. The implications of the ruling and the ongoing legal strategies employed by both sides highlight the challenges faced by individuals in the entertainment industry when addressing allegations of misconduct. In the meantime, Lively’s legal team remains committed to pursuing justice for their client, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the workplace. The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly in Hollywood, where issues of harassment and misconduct have gained increased attention in recent years. As this story develops, fans of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are left to ponder the ramifications of their legal struggle and the broader implications for the entertainment industry. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding allegations of misconduct and the importance of thorough investigations to ensure a safe and respectful working environment for all.

Alex Cooper Alleges Sexual Harassment by Former College Soccer Coach

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Alex Cooper, the host of the popular podcast “Call Her Daddy,” has come forward with serious allegations of sexual harassment against her former college soccer coach, Nancy Feldman. In her new docuseries, “Call Her Alex,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 8 and will be available for streaming on Hulu starting June 10, Cooper shares her unsettling experiences during her time playing for Boston University’s women’s soccer team from 2013 to 2015. In the documentary, Cooper, now 30, describes how Feldman began to exhibit a concerning fixation on her during her sophomore year. She recalls feeling “deeply uncomfortable” as the coach made inappropriate comments about her personal life and body, often insisting on spending time alone with her. Cooper explained that the situation felt confusing and overwhelming, stating, “[It] was all based in her wanting to know who I was dating, her making comments about my body and her always wanting to be alone with me.” One particularly troubling incident involved Feldman insisting on driving Cooper to her night class alone, which left Cooper feeling trapped. “It was this psychotic game of, ‘You want to play? Tell me about your sex life,’” she recounted. Despite the discomfort and fear she experienced, Cooper felt unable to speak out at the time due to the pressure of being on a full-tuition scholarship. “If I didn’t follow this woman’s rules, I was gone,” she said. Following the allegations, Cooper confided in her parents, who sought legal advice. However, they were informed that pursuing a case against the university could result in a lengthy and arduous process. Cooper also mentioned that when she presented written documentation of her encounters with Feldman to Boston University officials, no action was taken. During a Q&A session after the premiere of her docuseries, Cooper expressed her frustration with the system, stating, “I want to tell women to come forward and say it, but I did, and I wasn’t believed, and then it took me a decade.” She emphasized the importance of sharing her story, despite the challenges she faced, noting, “I’m not ashamed that it took me 10 years… It’s really opened my eyes to how difficult the system is, and it’s so built against us as women.” Cooper graduated from Boston University in 2017 with a degree in film and television. Feldman, who coached the university’s women’s soccer team for 27 years, retired from the athletics department in 2022. In light of Cooper’s allegations, Us Weekly has reached out to both Boston University and Feldman for comments. As a prominent figure in the podcasting world, Cooper’s revelations have sparked conversations about the treatment of women in sports and the importance of believing survivors. Her story resonates with many who have faced similar challenges, and she hopes to encourage others to speak out against harassment and abuse. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) for support and resources.