Justin Baldoni Suffers Another Career Setback Amid Blake Lively Lawsuit

Director Justin Baldoni is suffering another career setback while navigating his legal battle against "It Ends With Us" co-star Blake Lively.

Lively accused the director of body shaming and sexual harassment, which prompted Baldoni to fire back with a lawsuit of his own, claiming that she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, tried to take creative control of the film away from him.

Amid the ongoing legal battle, which does not head to the courtroom until next year, Baldoni has made the difficult decision to close his Wayfarer Foundation.

The Wayfarer Foundation, which has served as the philanthropic arm of Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Studios, is shutting down amid the director’s lawsuit with actress Blake Lively. Launched in 2016 with studio partner Steve Sarowitz, the nonprofit organization’s mission statement claimed that it had a goal to “advance humankind spiritually towards a future peaceful world civilization.”

At this time, it is unclear why the Wayfarer Foundation is closing its doors. The organization shared the news on Instagram with a statement from Sarowitz. "I am so incredibly proud of the impact this organization has made and deeply grateful for our staff, board, donors, and partners,” he said.

"Upon unanimous decision of the board of directors, today we will begin the process of sunsetting the Foundation," the statement continued. "We will honor all of our current grant commitments as we carefully wind down operations over the next several weeks. Although the Wayfarer Foundation is closing, my personal commitment to giving remains strong, and I’m dedicated to making an impact on society through the ongoing mission and work."

Sarowitz went on to say, “We understand that this news may come as a surprise, and we will be actively working over the next several weeks to ensure all matters are concluded with care and attention."

The Wayfarer Foundation launched Los Angeles’s Skid Row Carnival of Love, which provided donations and resources to people who struggled to find and afford housing. The last event was held in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

In 2019, Baldoni discussed the housing crisis with The Hollywood Reporter. "We have an entire city of people sleeping on the street, one of the worst man-made disasters in our country," he said at the time. "We have too many people who are isolated and being left behind by society. But what’s been so amazing is finding that there are so many people in our cities who sincerely want to connect and give back."

On May 1, the “Gossip Girl” alum gave her first TV interview since the legal drama began on Late Night with Seth Meyers to talk about her new film, Another Simple Favor. During their conversation, Meyers admitted that he was “not as totally informed” about her legal battle with the disgraced director as others might have been.

Lively admitted that she was not at liberty to say much about the lawsuit, but did admit that she had struggled through an “intense year.” She went on to say that it has "been full of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life."

"And I see so many woman around, afraid to speak — especially right now — afraid to share their experiences. And fear is by design. It's what keeps us silent,” she continued. “But I also acknowledge that many people don't have the opportunity to speak. So I do feel fortunate that I've been able to.”

Lively went on to say, "It's the women who have had the ability to use their voice that's kept me strong and helped me in my belief and my fight for the world to be safer for women and girls."

She also credited the four children she shares with the “Deadpool” star for keeping her grounded during the legal drama. "It's no surprise I've had a pretty intense year, and they're just my lifeline. No matter what day I'm having, I have to be Disneyland for them,” she explained.

The couple has three daughters, James, Inez, and Betty, and a son, Olin, who they welcomed in early 2023.