Many Hollywood stars are showing their support Blake Lively in his wake misconduct claims against her It ends with us co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
THE complaintfiled last week with the California Department of Civil Rights, accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment on the making of the film and a subsequent effort to “destroy” Lively’s reputation.
In the complaint, Lively accuses Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of engaging in a “multi-layered plan” to damage his reputation following a meeting in which she and her husband Ryan Reynolds discussed “repeated sexual harassment and other concerning behavior” by Baldoni and a producer of the film.
Baldoni enlisted publicists and crisis managers as part of a “sophisticated, coordinated, well-funded retaliation plan” intended to “bury” and “destroy” Lively if she revealed it publicly. concerns on setthe complaint states.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are seen on the set of “It Ends with Us” on January 12, 2024 in Jersey City, NJ
José Pérez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Baldoni’s legal team said the allegations were “categorically false.”
Following these revelations, Lively received an outpouring of support from friends, co-stars and famous Hollywood faces.
Colleen Hoover, the author of the book that inspired and shares a title with the film, shared a post on her Instagram Story this week, calling Lively “nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since day of our meeting”.
“Thank you for being exactly the human you are. Never change. Will never wither.
Hoover later added: “Blake’s ability to refuse to sit down and be buried was nothing short of inspiring.” »
Lively Brotherhood of Traveling Pants co-stars, Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn and America Ferrera, released a joint statement supporting their friend, writing: “As friends and sisters of Blake for over twenty years, we stand in solidarity with her as she is fighting against the campaign to destroy its reputation.
“Throughout the filming of It ends with uswe watched her find the courage to demand a safe workplace for herself and her colleagues on set, and we are dismayed to read evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that followed to discredit her voice.
“Most upsetting is the shameless exploitation of the stories of survivors of domestic violence to silence a woman seeking safety. The hypocrisy is astounding,” the actors added. “We are struck by the fact that even if a woman is as strong, famous and resourceful as our friend Blake, she can face violent retaliation if she dares to demand a safe working environment. »
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On Monday, Amber Heard — speaking in response to Baldoni hiring the same PR crisis manager as her estranged husband, Johnny Depp — explained how she related to what Lively allegedly experienced working with Baldoni.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying: ‘A lie travels half the world before the truth can come out.’ I have seen this first hand and up close. It’s like horrible because destructive“Heard said in a statement to NBC News.
Filmmaker Paul Feig, who directed Lively in A simple favorwrote on X: “She really didn’t deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s horrible that she had to go through this.
Gwyneth Paltrow also showed a subtle message of support for the actor, linking to the Lively hair care line on her Instagram Story, writing “Just added to my Christmas wish list” and adding an emoji queen next door.
More accusations against Baldoni’s team
On Tuesday, Baldoni’s former press secretary, Stephanie Jones, filed a complaint claiming she was ousted from representing Baldoni and his film studio due to fears that Lively would go public with her accusations, according to the New York Times.
In his lawsuit, Jones claims that his former employee, Jennifer Abel, was tasked with handling Baldoni’s publicity and that Abel, in turn, hired Melissa Nathan, a crisis public relations specialist, to manage the emergence of At the end with us quarrel.
Jones and Abel are the two publicists Lively accuses of launching a smear campaign against her, and Jones claims the couple’s goal was to “demolish Jones’ reputation to take her clients and enrich themselves after the planned departure of Abel” from Jones’ public relations firm.
Jones’ lawsuits included text messages between Nathan and Abel. According to the New York Times, one of them, in which Nathan texts Abel, says: “I know. And once you’re gone, we’ll be together on the books and earn really good money and be happy.
A major sentence annulled
Baldoni suffered another blow on Monday after the actor’s Women’s Solidarity Prize was canceled earlier this month.
Vital Voices, a global nonprofit that focuses on women’s empowerment, gave the award to Baldoni, but announced this week that it was the case. take it back for his alleged “abhorrent conduct” which was “contrary to the values” defended by the organization.
Liz Plank, co-host of Baldoni’s podcast, also announced Monday that she would no longer work at The man enough Podcast following the allegations.
“I am writing to you today to let you know that my representatives have informed Wayfarer (Baldoni’s production company) that I will no longer co-host The Man Enough podcast.”
She thanked fans for “trusting me with their hearts and their stories, for holding space for mine, and for making this show what it was.”
Baldoni has since been dropped by talent agent WME. He disputed Lively’s claims, calling them “shameful” and a “desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation that was drawn from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film.”
Justin Baldoni attends the “It Ends With Us” New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on August 6, 2024 in New York City.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Details of Lively’s complaint
Lively’s complaint list 30 demands which she said Baldoni and others agreed to after their tense discussion about her hostile work environment concerns.
Among them: “no more showing videos or images of naked women” to Lively and others on set and no more discussions about pornography, sexual experiences or genitals.
She also said Baldoni should not ask her trainer about her weight without her consent, should not press her about her religious beliefs and should “not mention her deceased father again.”
An intimacy coordinator also had to be on set whenever Lively shared a scene with Baldoni and was prohibited from entering her trailer or the makeup trailer while she was undressed.
The demands also stipulated that there would be “no more improvisation of kissing scenes” or addition of sex scenes to the film outside of those in the script Lively approved when she signed up.
“I hope my legal action helps bring back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics aimed at harming people who speak out about misconduct and protecting others who may be targeted,” Lively said in a statement to the Times. A representative for Lively referred the Associated Press to New York Times reportin which Lively denied planting or spreading negative information about Baldoni or the studio.
—with files from The Associated Press
