WME Seeks Commission from Justin Baldoni Post-Firing Amid Blake Lively Case Fallout
The talent agency is pursuing mid-to-high six-figure earnings from the actor's "It Ends With Us" backend, nearly two years after WME publicly dropped him following sexual harassment accusations.
Two years after WME publicly terminated its contract with actor Justin Baldoni following accusations of sexual harassment by Blake Lively, the talent agency is now seeking a commission on his backend earnings from the film "It Ends With Us." Sources indicate WME is pursuing a sum in the mid-to-high six figures, with Courtney Braun, the agency's general counsel, leading the effort. WME stated, "As a matter of policy, we pursue all unpaid commissions from current and former clients. Additionally, we do not discuss details of these private matters." A representative for Baldoni did not respond to requests for comment.
The agency's pursuit of commissions has drawn attention, particularly given WME's public stance during Baldoni's legal dispute with Lively. In April, a federal judge dismissed Lively's sexual harassment claims, which paved the way for a legal settlement between Baldoni and Lively a month later, reportedly without any financial exchange. Prior to the dismissal, WME had publicly severed ties with Baldoni. An unnamed insider noted the unusual nature of the situation, stating, "WME not only fired him, [they picked] a side before anything was decided in a court." The insider further questioned the agency's actions, asking, "How do you fire a client publicly, then make fun of him publicly and then try to collect commissions from him after you f–ked him over like that?"
WME Group executive chairman Ari Emanuel had previously made public remarks that appeared to mock Baldoni. During a 2025 appearance on "Freakonomics Radio Live," Emanuel referred to the situation as "a f–ked up, bad situation with what Bologna … Baldoni … whatever his name is … is doing." Following the dismissal of Lively's claims, WME released a statement that seemed to further criticize Baldoni, emphasizing that Lively "has kept the focus where it belongs: on facts, accountability, and the right to speak up without fear of retaliation."
This situation arises amidst broader scrutiny of WME's handling of client controversies. Notably, Emanuel's public comments on other matters have also drawn attention. In September, he defended Robert Kraft's request that Ed Sheeran drop Macklemore from a tour due to the rapper's pro-Palestinian chant. Emanuel stated on "The Daily Show," "I think it was belittling to Jewish people," despite Macklemore being a WME client. This stance, seemingly favoring Kraft over a client, caused consternation in Hollywood representation circles.
Emanuel has also made comments regarding other WME clients, including Meghan Markle, suggesting he was pleased that others were now managing her career and that she was "actually getting booked." He previously represented Markle before transferring her to other agents.
Emanuel's public statements have been a recurring theme throughout his career. In 2006, he publicly denounced Mel Gibson following antisemitic remarks made during a DUI arrest, urging the industry to "professionally shun Mel Gibson and refuse to work with him."