Many members of Hollywood’s A-list are supporting Blake Lively in the wake of her misconduct allegations against her. Finish with us co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
The complaint, filed late last week with the California Department of Civil Rights, accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the film and a subsequent effort to “destroy” Lively’s reputation.
In the complaint, Lively accuses Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of embarking on a “multi-level scheme” to damage her reputation following a meeting in which she and her husband Ryan Reynolds addressed “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior” by part of Baldoni and a producer. in the movie.
Baldoni recruited publicists and crisis managers in a “sophisticated, coordinated and well-funded retaliation plan” aimed at “burying” and “destroying” Lively if she made her concerns public on set, the complaint alleges.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are seen on the set of ‘It Ends with Us’ on January 12, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey.
José Pérez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Baldoni’s legal team has said the allegations are “categorically false.”
In the wake of the revelations, Lively has received an outpouring of support from friends, co-stars and famous Hollywood faces.
Colleen Hoover, 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, caring and patient from the day we met.”
“Thank you for being exactly the human being that you are. Never change. Never wither.”
Hoover later added, “Blake’s ability to refuse to sit down and ‘be buried’ has been nothing short of inspiring.”
lively Brotherhood of the Traveling Pants Co-stars Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn and America Ferrera issued 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 fights against the alleged campaign undertaken to destroy her reputation”.
“During the filming of Finish with us“We saw her muster the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and her colleagues on set, and we are dismayed to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that followed to discredit her voice.”
“What is most disturbing is the blatant exploitation of the stories of domestic violence survivors to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astonishing,” the actors added. “We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated and resourceful as our friend Blake, she can face harsh retaliation for daring to ask for a safe work environment.”
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On Monday, Amber Heard, speaking in response to Baldoni hiring the same PR crisis manager as her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, shared how she relates to what Lively allegedly experienced while working with Baldoni.
“Social media is the absolute embodiment of the classic saying: ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before the truth puts on its boots.’ I saw this first hand and up close. it’s like as terrifying as it is 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 he went through this.”
Gwyneth Paltrow also showed a subtle message of support for the actor, linking to Lively’s hair care line on her Instagram Story, writing “I just added it to my Christmas wish list” and adding a queen emoji next to it.
More accusations against Baldoni’s team
On Tuesday, Baldoni’s former publicist, Stephanie Jones, filed a lawsuit claiming that she was expelled from representing Baldoni and his film studio for fear that Lively would go public with her accusations, according to The New York Times.
In her lawsuit, Jones claims that her former employee, Jennifer Abel, was assigned to handle Baldoni’s publicity and Abel, in turn, hired crisis public relations specialist Melissa Nathan to handle the emerging Finish with us fief.
Jones and Abel are the two publicists who Lively accuses of launching a smear campaign against her, with Jones claiming the pair’s goal was to “tear down Jones’ reputation to capture her clients and enrich themselves following Abel’s planned departure.” from” Jones’ public relations firm.
Jones’ demands 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 in the accounts together and earn very good money and be happy.”
Major award rescinded
Baldoni suffered another blow on Monday after a female solidarity award given to the actor earlier this month was rescinded.
Vital Voices, a global nonprofit organization that focuses on women’s empowerment, gave Baldoni the award, but announced this week that it was taking it back for his alleged “abominable conduct” that was “contrary to the values” held by the organization.
Baldoni’s podcast co-host Liz Plank also announced Monday that she would no longer work on The sufficient man Podcast after the accusations.
“I am writing to you today to inform you that my representatives have informed Wayfarer (Baldoni’s production company) that I will no longer be co-hosting The Man Enough podcast.”
He thanked fans for “trusting me with their hearts and stories, for making room for mine, and for making this show what it was.”
Baldoni has since been fired by talent agent WME. He has disputed Lively’s claims, calling them “shameful” and “a desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation gained from her own comments and actions during the film’s campaign.”
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 lists 30 demands which she says Baldoni and others accepted after their tense meeting over their concerns about the hostile work environment.
Among them: “no more showing nude videos or images of 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 pressure her about her religious beliefs and should not “make any more mentions of her dead father.”
An intimacy coordinator was also required to be on set whenever Lively shared a scene with Baldoni and was prohibited from entering her trailer or makeup trailer while she was undressed.
The lawsuits also stipulated that “no more kissing scenes would be improvised” or sex scenes added to the film outside of those in the script Lively approved when she signed on.
“I hope my legal action will help reveal these sinister retaliation tactics to harm people who report misconduct and help protect others who may be targeted,” Lively said in a statement to the Times. A representative for Lively told The Associated Press New York Times reportin which Lively denied planting or spreading negative information about Baldoni or the studio.
—with files from The Associated Press
