Before Justin Baldoni became a household name thanks to his starring role in It Ends with Us, the actor had a brief, yet controversial, stint on The Bold and the Beautiful. While Baldoni is now widely recognized for his performance in the 2024 hit movie It Ends with Us alongside Blake Lively, his past connection to the world of daytime soap operas has resurfaced amid a recent legal battle and exposé.
Baldoni’s Role on B&B—A Dark Turn in Soap Opera History
In 2010, Justin Baldoni appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful in a role that would later become infamous. He played Graham Darros, a photographer with a disturbing secret. Graham initially worked with Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) on a fashion campaign before his character took a dark turn. His interactions with Hope (Kim Matula) became the heart of his storyline when he invited her to a party and drugged her drink, attempting to assault her while she was unconscious. The assault was prevented when Nick Marone (Jack Wagner) and Sandy Somers (Sarah Brown) intervened, with Sandy recognizing Graham as the man who had assaulted her years earlier. This led to Graham’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment for his crimes.
While Baldoni’s role on B&B was brief, it left a lasting impact due to the controversial nature of the character he portrayed. At the time, the storyline generated significant buzz, adding to the intrigue surrounding Baldoni’s early career.
From Soap Opera Star to Hollywood Heartthrob
Though Baldoni was largely unknown at the time of his B&B role, he would go on to become a major star. His breakout performance in It Ends with Us catapulted him into the spotlight. The movie, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, grossed a staggering $351 million worldwide, far surpassing its $25 million budget. His rise to fame, however, would soon be overshadowed by legal and personal controversies.
Sexual Harassment Lawsuit and Legal Drama
Earlier this month, Justin Baldoni was sued by his It Ends with Us co-star, Blake Lively, for sexual harassment on set. Lively’s lawsuit alleges that Baldoni made unwanted advances toward her and, when she rejected him, he retaliated by launching a smear campaign against her in the media. The situation became more explosive with an exposé published by The New York Times, which detailed Baldoni’s inappropriate comments and actions, including thousands of pages of court documents outlining his misconduct.
Lively, who has received overwhelming support from fellow Hollywood stars, issued a statement saying, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Support from Hollywood and Fans
Lively’s brave stance has resonated widely, with her friends and co-stars, including the cast of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants—Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, and America Ferrera—showing public support. The actress’s friends took to social media to voice their backing, condemning Baldoni’s behavior and showing solidarity with Lively.
As the legal drama unfolds, it’s clear that Justin Baldoni’s career is at a crossroads. His journey from soap opera star to Hollywood leading man has been marked by both professional success and personal scandal. Fans who once admired him for his roles on B&B and in It Ends with Us are now left grappling with the darker side of his past and present. Whether Baldoni can salvage his career and reputation remains to be seen as the legal proceedings continue to make headlines.
