Actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni is once again in the spotlight after a previously undisclosed lawsuit surfaced, accusing him of wrongfully terminating a Black executive who reported racial inequities at his company, Wayfarer Studios. The lawsuit, filed in December 2020 by Shane Norman, alleged that Baldoni and his company sidelined and tokenized employees of color before ultimately firing him for speaking out.
According to court filings, Wayfarer Studios initially recruited Norman with promises of career growth. However, during the hiring process, investor and executive Steve Sarowitz reportedly stated that they needed someone “who looks like you.” Norman later noticed a pattern where employees of color were marginalized and raised concerns about racial disparities in the workplace. Shortly after voicing his complaints, he was demoted, his salary was reduced, and he was eventually fired.
The lawsuit further alleged that non-Black employees in similar circumstances received severance packages, whereas Norman was denied one. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios denied all allegations at the time.
Settlement Speculation and Lawsuit Dismissal
Despite the serious claims, the case never reached a full trial. By September 2021, a judge dismissed several of Norman’s claims. He attempted to appeal, but later voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning he cannot refile the case.
Reports from sources familiar with the situation suggest that Norman may have received approximately $150,000 to drop the case, though no official settlement details were disclosed. The lawsuit remained under the radar until a recent Los Angeles Times investigation brought it to public attention.
Previous Lawsuit Adds to Baldoni’s Legal Woes
This is not the first time Baldoni has faced legal trouble. In 2021, he was accused of copyright infringement by screenwriter Travis Flores, who claimed Baldoni’s directorial debut, Five Feet Apart, bore striking similarities to his unproduced script, Three Feet Distance. The lawsuit alleged that Baldoni had access to Flores’ work and used elements of it without permission.
The case was short-lived, with Flores voluntarily dismissing it with prejudice in March 2022. Flores passed away last year at 33 due to complications from cystic fibrosis.
As Baldoni continues his legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively over separate allegations, these resurfaced lawsuits add another layer of controversy to the actor’s already troubled public image.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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