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In a surprising twist to the ongoing legal drama surrounding 'It Ends With Us' stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, actor Adam Mondschein, who played the OBGYN in the film’s birth scene, has come forward to comment on Blake's claims in her sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni.
Mondschein, who portrayed Doctor Dunbar in the film, is disputing Lively’s description of the scene, particularly her claim about being “nearly nude” during filming, which she included in her lawsuit.
Lively alleged in her lawsuit that Baldoni’s decision to cast his “best friend” (Mondschein) in the intimate role of her OBGYN during the birth scene was "invasive and humiliating," describing it as a “violative birthing scene for which he cast a friend as her OBGYN.”
© Sony/YouTubeShe continued to say that Baldoni “introduced his ‘best friend’ to play the role of the OBGYN, when ordinarily, a small role of this nature would be filled by a local actor.” The lawsuit states that “Ms. Lively felt that the selection of Mr. Baldoni’s friend for this intimate role, in which the actor’s face and hands were in close proximity to her nearly nude genitalia for a birth scene, was invasive and humiliating."
She also described the set as “chaotic” and “lacking in standard industry protections,” claiming she was left partially nude. However, Mondschein has contradicted these claims, stating that his experience on set with Lively was entirely professional.
© Paul Archuleta"My experience working with her is very different than the one she described in her lawsuit," Mondschein told Page Six. He emphasized that Lively did not express any discomfort during filming and that the scene was conducted appropriately.
© Sony/YouTube“Her costume included a full hospital gown, black shorts and torso-covering prosthetic to make her appear pregnant in addition to whatever personal garments she chose," he detailed, adding that she “never complained or expressed discomfort at any point because nothing unusual or improper occurred. It was entirely professional.”
Mondschein, who has a background in theater and a Master of Fine Arts from UCLA, says he takes offense at the claims made by Lively. “Ms. Lively’s insinuations regarding my qualifications are offensive, as my bonafides are easily searchable online,” Mondschein told Page Six.
© Sony/YouTube“Lastly, I was, in fact, a local hire (my wife and I are from New York and spend significant time there). As such, I, like any actor accepting that contract, was required to cover my own travel and living expenses in connection with the job," he added.
The actor said that he is ready to testify in the upcoming trial if called upon by Baldoni’s legal team. “If I’m called to testify in the case I will answer truthfully, and more freely, whatever is asked of me with all the legal protection that affords,” he declared. “In particular, by noting that Ms. Lively was not ‘nearly nude’ in the scene we shot together.”
