In a high-profile clash unfolding in Hollywood, actress Blake Lively has lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in the movie “It Ends With Us.” According to legal documents, the lawsuit stems from allegations of inappropriate conduct by Baldoni during the film’s production.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, countered claims on Monday, stating that The Agency Group (TAG) PR, the crisis publicists hired by Baldoni, conducted activities standard for crisis management under such circumstances. Freedman suggested that shifts in public perception of Lively were influenced by her actions and the manner in which she presented herself during the film’s promotional activities, which he alleged some audiences found unpalatable.
The legal battle drew further attention following a media report which highlighted leaked text messages between Baldoni and top PR executives. These messages reportedly show plans to orchestrate a PR strategy against Lively following her accusations of misconduct. In one of the texts, Baldoni expressed concerns after noticing that Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband and a Hollywood actor, blocked him on social media platforms.
The discourse included an exchange where Jennifer Abel, head of public relations at Baldoni’s Wayfarer studio, was told by crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, “We can’t say we will destroy her,” which was quickly followed by, “Imagine if a document detailing all that he wants ends up in the wrong hands. You know we can bury anyone.”
Revelations in August indicated that Baldoni brought on Nathan, a renowned crisis manager who previously represented Johnny Depp, amid rising tensions during the release of his film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. As the rift between Baldoni and Lively deepened, it was noted that Baldoni occasionally appeared at promotional events alone and avoided joint photo opportunities with Lively at the film’s premiere in New York. Observers also pointed out that neither Lively, Hoover, nor their co-star Jenny Slate followed Baldoni on social media platforms.
The allegations presented in Lively’s pre-litigation complaint include showing her explicit images, initiating inappropriate discussions about her personal life, and efforts by Baldoni to insert unapproved intimate scenes into the script. These claims contribute to a broader narrative of a hostile work environment that purportedly compromised the integrity of the production.
Adding gravitas to the situation was a meeting reportedly convened to address the discord, attended by high-profile figures including the film’s producers and Ryan Reynolds. This gathering underscores the severity of the concerns raised about the film’s working environment.
In light of these complexities, the unfolding legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni presents a vivid tableau of conflict and controversy within the Hollywood film industry, reflecting both individual and systemic challenges.
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