Blake Lively’s 'Cruel' On-Set Behavior Exposed, Repeatedly Left Assistant Director In Tears

Blake Lively is facing allegations of mistreatment on the set of "A Simple Favor," with claims that she repeatedly brought a crew member to tears.

Barbara Szeman, who worked as an assistant director on the 2018 film, made a series of since-deleted comments on Henry Golding’s Instagram post about the upcoming sequel, "Another Simple Favor," which were seemingly aimed at Blake Lively.

“I worked with you on the first one,” Szeman wrote to Golding, per Page Six. “My experience with everyone was absolutely amazing, except for a certain someone who is the reason I quit being an AD.”

She then cryptically added, “Guess who that person is…,” without directly naming Lively, before concluding, “I wish you all the best with this though!”

Her remarks quickly gained attention, leading Szeman to clarify that she had initially wanted to “avoid” the spotlight, but ultimately spoke out due to Lively’s alleged behavior. “I know I cried my way home many nights because you try so hard to please someone who is never pleased and puts you down constantly,” she wrote.

Szeman also referenced Lively’s ongoing legal battle with "It Ends With Us" co-star and director Justin Baldoni, writing, “I can’t believe it’s actually getting back at her. Karma is real.”

On Facebook, Szeman appeared to regret her decision to speak publicly, posting, “Last time I leave a comment on an Instagram post.” A friend responded with surprise, writing, “I didn’t know this!!! I had heard from people that she was so nice and lovely to work with. Apparently not.” Szeman replied, “Maybe for them. Not for me lol.”

Another acquaintance supported Szeman’s claims, writing, “I’ve been thinking about you and this whole situation because you told me the stories so long ago. It’s good that you commented.” Szeman “loved” the comment, further fueling speculation.

These accusations come at a particularly challenging time for Lively, as she attempts to salvage her reputation amid Baldoni’s claims that she was difficult to work with on "It Ends With Us."

The actor-director has filed a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively, alleging that her accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct have damaged his career.

In response, Lively has filed her own lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and lost wages. According to her claims, Baldoni engaged in inappropriate behavior, including modifying the script to include additional sexually charged scenes, openly discussing his past porn addiction, and intruding on her privacy.

Baldoni has denied all accusations and has attempted to clear his name by releasing behind-the-scenes footage and private text messages. He has also launched a website to present evidence in his defense.

His attorney, Bryan Freedman, has criticized Lively’s allegations, calling them a “desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation, which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film, [and] interviews and press activities that were observed publicly, in real time and unedited, which allowed for the internet to generate their own views and opinions.”

As The Blast reported earlier this month, Blake Lively is now contending with another lawsuit as her legal battle with Justin Baldoni continues.

According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Lively is being sued by crisis PR firm Street Relations Inc. and its president, Jed Wallace.

Per the outlet, Wallace asserts that Lively defamed both him and his company when she filed a complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024. In her complaint, Lively not only accused her "It Ends With Us" co-star of sexual harassment but also alleged that he orchestrated a social media “smear campaign” against her.

Although Lively referenced Wallace and Street Relations Inc. in her initial filing, she did not name them as defendants in the subsequent lawsuit she filed in New York federal court. However, Wallace contends that Lively later attempted to depose him, claiming he acted as a subcontractor for TAG, the company she accused of leading an “unlawful retaliatory social combat campaign” against her.

Wallace refutes this allegation, asserting that it is baseless and has resulted in “millions of dollars in reputational harm,” with projected losses to his company surpassing another million.

Lively’s legal team was quick to address the lawsuit, telling TMZ, “Another day, another state, another nine-figure lawsuit seeking to sue Ms. Lively ‘into oblivion’ for speaking out against sexual harassment and retaliation.”

As both legal battles unfold, Lively’s reputation remains in the spotlight, with past and present allegations adding to the growing controversy surrounding the actress.