Many from Hollywood’s A-list are throwing their help behind Blake Lively within the wake of her misconduct claims in opposition to her It Ends with Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
The grievance, filed late final week with the California Civil Rights Department, accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the film and a subsequent effort to “destroy” Lively’s repute.
In the grievance, Lively accuses Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of embarking on a “multi-tiered plan” to break her repute following a gathering wherein she and her husband Ryan Reynolds addressed “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior” by Baldoni and a producer on the film.
Baldoni enlisted publicists and disaster managers in a “sophisticated, coordinated, and well-financed retaliation plan” meant to “bury” and “destroy” Lively if she went public along with her on-set issues, the grievance alleges.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are seen on the set of ‘It Ends with Us’ on Jan. 12, 2024 in Jersey City, N.J.
Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Baldoni’s authorized workforce has mentioned the allegations are “categorically false.”
In the wake of the revelations, Lively has acquired an outpouring of help from Hollywood mates, co-stars and well-known faces.
Colleen Hoover, the creator of the e-book that impressed and shares a title with the movie, shared a submit to her Instagram Story this week, calling Lively “nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met.”
“Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Hoover later added, “Blake’s ability to refuse to sit down and ‘be buried’ has been nothing short of inspiring.”
Lively’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars, Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn and America Ferrera, issued a joint assertion supporting their good friend, writing: “As Blake’s friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.”
“Throughout the filming of It Ends with Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.”
“Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding,” the actors added. “We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment.”
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On Monday, Amber Heard — talking out in response to Baldoni hiring the identical PR disaster supervisor as her former husband, Johnny Depp — shared how she pertains to what Lively allegedly skilled whereas working with Baldoni.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’ I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive,” Heard mentioned in a press release to NBC News.
Filmmaker Paul Feig, who directed Lively in A Simple Favor, wrote on X: “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
Gwyneth Paltrow additionally confirmed a delicate message of help for the actor, linking to Lively’s line of haircare on her Instagram Story, writing “Just added to my Christmas wish list” and including a queen emoji alongside.
More accusations in opposition to Baldoni’s workforce
On Tuesday, Baldoni’s former publicist, Stephanie Jones, filed a lawsuit claiming she was ousted from representing Baldoni and his movie studio over issues Lively would go public along with her accusations, in response to The New York Times.
In her lawsuit, Jones claims her former worker, Jennifer Abel, was assigned to deal with Baldoni’s publicity and Abel, in flip, employed disaster PR specialist Melissa Nathan to deal with the rising In Ends with Us feud.
Jones and Abel are the 2 publicists Lively is accusing of launching a smear marketing campaign in opposition to her, and Jones claims the pair’s aim was “tearing down Jones’ reputation to take her clients and enrich themselves upon Abel’s planned departure from” Jones’ PR agency.
Jones’ lawsuits included textual content messages between Nathan and Abel. According to the New York Times, one, wherein Nathan texts Abel, reads: “I know. And once you are gone — we will be on accounts together and make really good money and be happy.”
Major award rescinded
Baldoni suffered one other main blow Monday after a girls’s solidarity award given to the actor earlier this month was rescinded.
Vital Voices, a world non-profit that focuses on empowering girls, gave Baldoni the award however introduced this week that it was taking it again over his alleged “abhorrent conduct” that was “contrary to the values” held by the group.
Baldoni’s podcast co-host Liz Plank additionally introduced Monday that she would now not be working at The Man Enough Podcast following the allegations.
“I’m writing to you today to let you know that I have had my representatives inform (Baldoni’s production company) Wayfarer that I will no longer be co-hosting The Man Enough podcast.”
She thanked followers for “trusting me with your hearts and stories, for holding space for mine, and for making this show what it was.”
Baldoni has since been dropped by the expertise agent WME. He’s disputed Lively’s claims, calling them “shameful” and a “desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation which was garnered 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 Aug. 6, 2024 in New York City.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Details of Lively’s grievance
Lively’s grievance lists 30 calls for that she mentioned Baldoni and others agreed to after their tense sit-down over her hostile work atmosphere issues.
Among them: “no more showing of nude videos or images of women” to Lively and others on set and no extra discussions about pornography, sexual experiences or genitalia.
She additionally mentioned Baldoni mustn’t ask her coach about her weight with out her consent, mustn’t press her about her spiritual beliefs and may make “no further mention of her dead father.”
An intimacy co-ordinator was additionally required to be on set at any time when Lively shared a scene with Baldoni and he was barred from coming into her trailer or the make-up trailer whereas she was undressed.
The calls for additionally stipulated that there could be “no more improvising of kissing” scenes or including of intercourse scenes to the movie exterior of those within the script Lively accepted when she signed on.
“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,” Lively mentioned in a press release to the Times. A consultant for Lively referred The Associated Press to the New York Times report, wherein Lively denied planting or spreading damaging details about Baldoni or the studio.
—with information from The Associated Press
