Former Assistant Director alleges Blake Lively’s behavior led to her quitting film industry |

Blake Lively, the star of ‘A Simple Favor,’ is now at the center of fresh allegations following claims made by a former assistant director on the set of the 2018 film. The AD, Barbara Szeman, recently accused the actress of creating a hostile work environment that ultimately led to Szeman quitting the role altogether.
The controversy began when Henry Golding, who starred alongside Lively in the film, shared a promotional poster for its upcoming sequel, ‘Another Simple Favor.’ Szeman, under the username “Barbwiretv,” left a now-deleted comment on the post that hinted at her experience working on the original movie.
Without explicitly naming Lively, Szeman wrote, “I had an amazing experience with everyone except one person who made me quit being an AD. Guess who?” Her IMDb profile confirms her work on the movie.
In another comment, also deleted, Szeman elaborated, stating she often “cried her way home” after trying to meet the impossible expectations of someone who was “never pleased and constantly put her down.” While she expressed a desire to avoid public attention, she doubled down on her accusations, saying, “I stand by what I saidand she was cruel to many.”
Szeman went on to imply that Lively’s ongoing legal troubles were an act of karma. The actress is currently embroiled in a legal battle with ‘It Ends With Us’ co-star Justin Baldoni, whom she has accused of sexual harassment. Baldoni has since countersued and launched a website to document the allegations and timeline of events.
Shortly after the comments gained attention, Szeman posted on Facebook, stating, “That’s the last time I leave a comment on Instagram.” Her social media accounts have since been deactivated.
This isn’t the first time Lively has faced public scrutiny. Though largely known for her roles in Gossip Girl, The Age of Adaline and A Simple Favor, her career has recently been overshadowed by legal issues and interpersonal controversies. Fans and critics alike have taken to social media to discuss Szeman’s claims, with opinions ranging from support for Szeman to calls for more transparency from Lively’s team.
As the legal dispute between Lively and Baldoni continues to unfold and with Szeman’s claims now in the public eye, more details may emerge in the coming days. Many behind-the-scenes crew members have begun to speak out about toxic work environments, demanding more accountability from stars and directors.
With the sequel ‘Another Simple Favor’ on the horizon and the ongoing legal battle with Baldoni in the spotlight, the public is keeping a close eye on Lively’s next moves. As more details emerge, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact both her career and public image. Fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely as this high-profile drama plays out.