Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Reveals Smear Campaign

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Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Reveals Smear Campaign \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Blake Lively’s claims that It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign against her are supported by a lawsuit filed by his former publicist, Stephanie Jones. The lawsuit alleges Baldoni and his team sought to “bury” Lively amid fears of reputational harm. This comes after Lively filed her own complaint alleging harassment and retaliation during production of the blockbuster adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel.

Allegations of Smear Campaign in Hollywood: Quick Looks

Blake Lively’s Claims: Lively accused Baldoni of targeting her after she reported harassment on set.
Publicist’s Lawsuit: Stephanie Jones alleged Baldoni and his team aimed to harm Lively’s reputation to shield his own.
Key Players: Accusations extend to Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan.
Toxic Workplace Allegations: Jones also detailed theft of proprietary documents by Abel as part of a larger scheme.
Blockbuster Film: It Ends With Us was a commercial success, grossing nearly $350 million globally.

Deep Look

Blake Lively’s accusations against It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni have gained new weight as a lawsuit filed by his former publicist, Stephanie Jones, alleges a coordinated effort to damage Lively’s reputation. The lawsuit, filed in New York state court, claims Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, teamed with publicists to protect Baldoni from potential fallout over allegations of toxic and misogynistic behavior during the production of the romantic drama.

Details of the Publicist’s Lawsuit

Stephanie Jones, who began working with Baldoni in 2017, alleges that the relationship soured in August 2023, coinciding with the release of It Ends With Us. According to the lawsuit, Baldoni and his company conspired with Jennifer Abel, a former Jonesworks employee, and crisis manager Melissa Nathan to orchestrate a campaign aimed at “burying” Lively’s reputation. The lawsuit suggests that these efforts stemmed from concerns that allegations of Baldoni’s on-set behavior could harm his career.

The filing also accuses Abel of stealing over 70 sensitive business documents and client leads from Jonesworks before leaving the firm. Jones alleges that Abel coordinated with Nathan, a crisis management expert previously linked to Johnny Depp, to control media narratives about Lively and Jones.

Blake Lively’s Complaint Against Baldoni

The publicist’s allegations align with Blake Lively’s recent complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. Lively, 37, alleges that Baldoni sought to undermine her after she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reported instances of sexual harassment by Baldoni and a producer on It Ends With Us. Lively claims this led to retaliatory behavior, including attempts to damage her public image.

In response, Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, vehemently denied Lively’s allegations, labeling them as “completely false” and asserting that Baldoni’s team hired a crisis manager to handle what they described as “multiple demands and threats” made by Lively during production.

Text Messages and Evidence in the Lawsuit

Stephanie Jones’s lawsuit includes text messages and emails allegedly obtained from a company phone returned by Abel upon her firing. These communications reportedly detail plans to influence media coverage unfavorable to Lively and Jones.

In one email, Abel sought to maintain a positive relationship with Jones, writing, “I hope I can keep you in my life as a mentor and friend.” The lawsuit portrays this correspondence as part of an effort to obscure Abel’s alleged actions before leaving Jonesworks to start her own publicity firm, with Baldoni and Wayfarer as clients.

Blockbuster Film Amid Controversy

Released in August, It Ends With Us—an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel—proved a box office success despite behind-the-scenes turmoil. The film debuted with $50 million and ultimately grossed nearly $350 million globally, exceeding expectations.

The film’s success contrasts sharply with the controversies surrounding its production. Lively’s claims and the lawsuit by Jones have cast a shadow over the project, raising questions about the cost of such alleged toxic workplace dynamics in Hollywood.

Justin Baldoni’s Background

Baldoni, 40, rose to fame on the hit show Jane the Virgin before transitioning into directing and producing. His projects include Five Feet Apart, a romantic drama, and Man Enough, a book challenging traditional masculinity norms. These works have bolstered his reputation as an advocate for inclusivity and emotional depth, making the allegations of misogyny and toxicity particularly striking.

Larger Implications for Hollywood

The allegations against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios highlight ongoing concerns about workplace dynamics in Hollywood. As Lively and Jones pursue legal avenues to address their grievances, the case underscores the challenges women and professionals face when confronting power structures in the entertainment industry.

The lawsuit’s inclusion of stolen documents and orchestrated media campaigns points to broader issues of ethical violations and accountability in publicity and crisis management. The outcome of these legal battles could set precedents for how such conflicts are handled in the future.