Blake Lively has initiated a legal battle against Justin Baldoni, her director and co-star in the movie "It Ends With Us."
The lawsuit centers around accusations of sexual harassment and the alleged orchestration of a smear campaign against her, Mail Online reported.
The tension between Lively and Baldoni reportedly escalated during the production of the film, climaxing in a situation that necessitated the involvement of human resources. According to sources, both parties agreed on new terms during an HR meeting designed to address the souring workplace dynamics. However, the situation worsened, prompting Lively to take legal action.
In the legal documents, Lively cites a series of text messages from Baldoni’s crisis management team, which include plans aimed at tarnishing her public image. The strategy described in the messages was allegedly labeled as "social manipulation," intended to "destroy" Lively's reputation in response to her complaints.
The lawsuit highlights the involvement of Melissa Nathan, a noted crisis management expert with past clients like Johnny Depp, and publicist Jennifer Abel, both of whom were recruited by Baldoni. Documented text message exchanges between Nathan and Abel reveal discussions about employing media tactics to sway public opinion against Lively.
These messages were obtained through a subpoena and have emerged as critical evidence in the case. Nathan’s texts suggest a preparedness to go to great lengths to protect her client, mentioning, "I can 'bury anyone'" but also cautioning about the sensitivity of written communications that could potentially implicate them if disclosed.
Jennifer Abel's frustrations also surface in the texts, where she expresses a desire to plant disparaging stories about Lively in the media. This sentiment underscores the aggressive PR strategies intended to shift the public narrative in favor of Baldoni.
Lively’s grievances with Baldoni also include inappropriate conduct relating directly to the content of the film. The actress objected to Baldoni's attempts to incorporate unnecessary nudity and sexual scenes into "It Ends With Us," which she argued were unwarranted and made her uncomfortable on set.
The complaint further accuses Baldoni of exposing Lively to explicit material and making overtly sexual remarks towards her, exacerbating the toxic environment she perceived. The combined effect of these alleged actions drew considerable stress on Lively, leading to her final decision to confront the situation legally.
As part of their defensive operations, Baldoni’s crisis management team considered leveraging Lively’s marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds, planning to exploit her personal life to divert scrutiny from Baldoni. Such tactics were calculated as part of a broader attempt to discredit her and frame her as the problem in the production debacle.
In reaction to the claims brought forward by Lively, Baldoni’s attorney, Brian Freedman, has released a statement condemning the allegations. Freedman describes the accusations as "categorically false" and criticizes Lively's actions as a desperate attempt to repair her own reputation, allegedly harmed by her behavior throughout the film’s promotion.
Lively, on her part, remains steadfast in her quest for justice. She expressed that her chief aim with the lawsuit is to expose what she describes as “sinister retaliatory tactics” used against individuals who dare to challenge improper conduct in the film industry.
As the case progresses, the facts will be scrutinized in the court, where the veracity of Lively and Baldoni's assertions will be determined. Meanwhile, public opinion remains divided, with fans and onlookers eagerly watching how this legal battle will unfold, influencing not only the careers of those involved but potentially setting a precedent on handling harassment allegations in Hollywood.
