New York, Dec 25, (V7N) - Justin Baldoni, the actor and director known for his role in Jane the Virgin and the film It Ends with Us, has found himself at the center of controversy following sexual harassment allegations made by his co-star, Blake Lively. The accusations were detailed in a complaint filed with the California Department of Civil Rights, which surfaced over the weekend. Baldoni's lawyer has denied the claims, calling them "completely false" and "outrageous."

Baldoni's recent achievements, including receiving the global Voices of Solidarity Award from Vital Voices for his advocacy of women’s rights, were overshadowed by the allegations. Vital Voices rescinded the award just days later, signaling Hollywood’s growing intolerance for allegations of workplace misconduct, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

The allegations against Baldoni include showing Lively explicit images of women, making sexual comments, improvising kisses during filming, and discussing personal sexual experiences. Lively also claims that Baldoni's PR team attempted to retaliate against her by planting negative stories in the media.

Blake Lively, in her statement to The New York Times, said she hoped her legal action would shed light on the "sinister retaliatory tactics" used against those who speak out about misconduct. Lively’s claims have sparked public support from some of Baldoni’s co-stars and colleagues, including Brandon Sklenar and Colleen Hoover, who have voiced their support for Lively.

Baldoni, who previously made his name with a career focused on redefining masculinity, launched the Man Enough Podcast and authored the book Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity. He has been a vocal advocate for emotional vulnerability, sensitivity, and empathy, aiming to teach boys to embrace these qualities. However, with these new allegations, his public image has taken a major hit.

As the controversy unfolded, Baldoni's podcast co-host Liz Plank resigned, expressing her disappointment and stating that fans “deserved better.” Meanwhile, Baldoni’s post celebrating his award earlier this month was deleted, and he was removed from Vital Voices' website.

This dramatic shift in Baldoni’s career highlights the fragile nature of public perception and the lasting impact of allegations of misconduct, even for those previously celebrated for their advocacy.

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