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Blake Lively (left), Justin Baldoni (right)

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Inside the controversy: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni lawsuit

Published :  
22-12-2024 17:04|
Lifestyle

Blake Lively's legal action against her It Ends With Us co-star and co-producer Justin Baldoni has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Following months of rumors about a rift during the film's production, new revelations of a purported smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni and his team have further fueled the controversy.

The lawsuit, supported by leaked screenshots of text messages, alleges a calculated attempt to tarnish Lively's reputation in retaliation for her accusations of inappropriate behavior on set.

 

- Accusations of a smear campaign and sexual harassment -

Lively's complaint outlines a series of troubling incidents during the film's production, including inappropriate comments and actions related to sexual content, according to Deadline.

The allegations include disturbing behaviors such as sharing explicit materials, discussing personal sexual experiences, and making unwelcome inquiries about Lively’s weight through her trainer.

Additionally, Lively's lawsuit accuses Baldoni of organizing a so-called "Astroturfing" campaign to damage her public image after she raised concerns about his behavior during filming.

In a statement via her attorneys, Lively stated, "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."

According to a report by The New York Times, Baldoni allegedly enlisted his publicist Jennifer Able and crisis manager Melissa Nathan—known for her work with high-profile clients like Johnny Depp—to strategize the campaign.

Screenshots of text exchanges, submitted as evidence, reveal a chilling level of premeditation. In May 2024, months after filming wrapped, Baldoni reportedly discovered that Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, had blocked him on Instagram. In response, Baldoni texted Able, “We should have a plan for IF she does the same when the movie comes out. Plans make me feel more at ease.”

Able allegedly forwarded the message to Nathan, writing, “I think you guys need to be tough and show the strength of what you guys can do in these scenarios. He wants to feel like she can be buried.” Nathan replied, “We can’t write we will destroy her,” later adding, “Imagine if a document saying all the things that he wants ends up in the wrong hands. You know we can bury anyone.”

Further screenshots reveal discussions about manipulating social media to create a negative narrative around Lively. Nathan allegedly proposed hiring contractors to execute "full social account take downs" and start “threads of theories” aimed at discrediting the actress. Nathan emphasized the importance of ensuring that the orchestrated campaign could not be traced back to them.

In one instance, Baldoni reportedly shared a draft social media post targeting a “bullying celebrity,” suggesting it as a tactic he wanted to employ. The leaked messages suggest that the team’s primary goal was to control the narrative discreetly while minimizing potential backlash against Baldoni.

Here are some of the leaked screenshots:

- Wider fallout -

With the release of these explosive screenshots, the scandal surrounding It Ends With Us has taken an even darker turn.

Following the scandal, Baldoni was been dropped by WME, the talent agency that represented him, on Saturday morning.

Baldoni vehemently denied the allegations through his lawyer, Bryan Freedman, who described them as “completely false” and an attempt to harm Baldoni's public image.

- Mixed online reactions -

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