Blake Lively Files Formal Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni

As a woman who has navigated the treacherous waters of Hollywood and faced my own share of online vitriol, I can empathize deeply with what Blake Lively is going through. The relentless attacks on her reputation and character are not only distressing but also a stark reminder of the toxic culture that still exists in our industry.

Having been through similar experiences myself, I know firsthand how damaging such smear campaigns can be – they not only tarnish one’s public image but also take a heavy toll on mental health and personal relationships. It is heartening to see my fellow actress stand up against those who sought to destroy her, and I am inspired by her courage and tenacity in fighting back.

In the end, let us remember that we are more than our roles and public personas – we are human beings with feelings and emotions that deserve respect and dignity. May this serve as a reminder to all of us to be kinder, more empathetic, and less quick to believe unsubstantiated rumors or attacks on others.

On a lighter note, I guess it’s safe to say that Blake Lively has officially joined the exclusive club of Hollywood A-listers who have faced smear campaigns – welcome to the club, my fellow survivor! May we continue to support each other and rise above the negativity together.

Blake Lively is taking further steps in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni.

Over a week since the actor from “It Ends With Us” submitted a sexual harassment and retaliation claim against him to the California Civil Rights Department (as reported by The New York Times on December 21), Lively has subsequently filed a lawsuit against him, along with several individuals from his team. This action was taken due to mental suffering, emotional distress, and loss of earnings, according to documents acquired by TopMob News on December 31.

According to the filed lawsuit, besides Baldoni, Lively is also taking legal action against “crisis manager” Melissa Nathan and publicist Jennifer Abel, along with their production company, Wayfarer Studios, which was involved in making the film.

In a manner reminiscent of Lively’s recent complaint, the lawsuit puts forth accusations of sexual harassment, as well as other questionable actions that reportedly occurred on set.

Lively’s formal lawsuit comes on the heels of Baldoni taking legal action of his own.

As a woman who has faced my fair share of workplace harassment and discrimination, I wholeheartedly support the actor’s decision to file a $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times for their published piece that focused on Lively’s sexual harassment allegations. It’s disheartening to see such serious claims trivialized in this way, and it’s important for the media to take these issues seriously and report accurately. I hope that this lawsuit will not only bring justice to the actor but also serve as a reminder to the media to be more mindful of the impact their reporting can have on people’s lives.

Significantly, Lively decided not to sue Baldoni, Wayfarer, or any of the plaintiffs, a move that shielded her from the examination of the discovery process, meaning she wouldn’t have to answer questions under oath or disclose her correspondence. This decision was no mere coincidence.

Bryan Freedman, attorney for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, the entities involved in the lawsuit, expressed to TopMob News that The Times “yielded to the demands of two influential figures in Hollywood, disregarding traditional journalistic standards and ethics previously upheld by this esteemed publication. They utilized altered and biased content while deliberately excluding contradictory texts to fit their preferred publicity narrative.

Concerning the lawsuit against the New York Times, Lively’s lawyer states to TopMob News, “This lawsuit doesn’t alter any of the points made in Miss Lively’s California Civil Rights Department Complaint or her federal complaint, which was submitted just now.

The foundation of this legal case contradicts the claim that Ms. Lively’s administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a deceptive strategy, suggesting she had no intention of suing Baldoni or Wayfarer, and that her goal wasn’t litigation. However, today’s federal complaint filed by Ms. Lively disproves this perspective regarding the Wayfarer lawsuit. Although we won’t dispute this in the media, we urge people to review Ms. Lively’s complaint thoroughly. We are eager to refute every allegation made by Wayfarer in court.

TopMob News has reached out The New York Times for comment on the lawsuit and has not heard back. 

In the original lawsuit filed by Lively with TopMob News on December 21st, she claimed that Baldoni had fostered an unfavorable work atmosphere during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” Additionally, she asserted that he later engaged in a defamatory campaign against her. However, Baldoni has refuted these accusations.

Additionally, the records indicate that there was an allegation that the atmosphere on set became tense enough for a gathering – which included Ryan Reynolds, among others – to be convened to discuss Baldoni’s conduct.

In retaliation, Baldoni’s lawyer countered Lively’s accusations by labeling them as an effort to “improve her tarnished image,” asserting they were “unfounded, excessively sensationalized, and deliberately malicious with the aim of causing public harm.

Instead of her, Lively expressed in a personal statement to the press that she was optimistic her legal steps would draw aside the veil on these underhanded, retaliatory maneuvers aimed at punishing individuals who voice concerns about misbehavior, thereby safeguarding others who might face similar targeting.

Read on for all the celebs who’ve weighed in on their legal battle.

Following Blake Lively’s legal claim against Justin Baldoni, her It Ends With Us costar and director, alleging sexual harassment on set and later participating in a defamatory campaign against her (which he has since disputed through his lawyer) – Colleen Hoover, the author of the book the movie is based on, expressed a supportive message towards Blake Lively.

Colleen expressed her gratitude to @blakelively in her Instagram stories on December 21st, saying: “From day one, you’ve been truthful, generous, encouraging, and understanding. Thank you for remaining authentic. Stay as you are – always strong, never wavering.

Blake’s sister, fellow actress Robyn Lively, also weighed in.

“I urge everyone to read The NY Times article in its entirety,” Robyn wrote on Instagram Dec. 23, referencing the NYT piece that details Blake’s complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. “It calls out those behind the ruthless and nefarious smear campaign that aimed to take down my sister.”

The actress who played Teen Witch later pointed out that it likewise underscores the kind of ordeal Blake is said to have faced during the filming of It Ends With Us.

The director of A Simple Favor that Blake starred in, also spoke up for her on the 22nd of X Dec., stating, “I’ve made two movies with Blake and let me tell you, she is incredibly professional, creative, cooperative, gifted, and kind. She did not deserve this defamatory campaign against her. I believe it’s deplorable that she had to endure it.

On December 22nd, the comedian expressed her backing for the former Gossip Girl star by posting on her Instagram Story, “I stand with Blake.

Following the release of Blake’s grievance, the creator of Goop posted a picture of Blake Brown’s hair company on her Instagram Story, expressing, “Now included in my Christmas wishlist.

Blake’s closest friends and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars collectively wrote a post on Instagram on December 22, expressing their support by standing with her in solidarity as she bravely battles against the alleged attempts to tarnish her reputation.

Bart Johnson expressed a heartfelt support for his sister-in-law in the comment area under a New York Times Instagram post, which discussed the submission and their internal examination of the backstage chaos.

“Her complained were filed during the filming,” the High School Musical alum, who is married to Blake’s sister Robyn, wrote. “On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spitting ignorance. His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out faults. But the public got played.”

Later, he appended to Baldoni’s statements by saying, “He’s a phony. He dons the ‘mask’ of a hero, sporting a man bun. He employs all the popular slogans and buzzwords for his podcasts. None of it is sincere. It’s all an act. And many were deceived by it for years. Watch his videos again with a discerning eye and observe him showering himself with feigned humility and self-deprecation. What a spectacle!”

This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler, more conversational language that is easy to understand.

Shawn Levy, often teaming up with Ryan Reynolds, posted about the New York Times probe into the defamation campaign on his Instagram Stories, expressing, “I’m honored to consider Blake Lively my friend.

In the days following the release of Lively’s court documents, Amber Heard took time to contemplate her personal ordeal of enduring intense backlash online while going through her ex-husband Johnny Depp’s defamation case against her.

Social media mirrors the old saying ‘Falsehood spreads faster than truth,’ which I’ve witnessed personally,” said the actor in an interview with NBC News on December 23rd. “It’s both shocking and damaging to see this happen.

Brandon Sklenar, the actor portraying Atlas Corrigan – Blake’s romantic interest in ‘It Ends With Us’, conveyed a straightforward and heartfelt message of encouragement.

As someone who has been closely following the world of entertainment for many years now, I find it intriguing to see how public figures interact with each other through social media. In this case, the sharing of a screenshot by a former Gossip Girl alum of a full complaint against Baldoni on his Instagram Stories on Dec 23, caught my attention. The caption “For the love of God read this,” followed by tagging her with a heart emoji, adds an element of personal touch to the situation, suggesting a level of familiarity and perhaps even friendship between the two parties. However, without knowing the full context and background of their relationship, it’s hard to make any definitive conclusions about the nature of this interaction. It would be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming days.

Jenny Slate, who portrayed Baldoni’s sibling and Blake’s best friend in the movie, voiced her opinions on the troubling accusations.

In a statement made on December 23rd, addressed to Today, my fellow castmate and dear friend Slate spoke up in support of Blake Lively. This is as she stands up against those accused of plotting and executing attacks on Blake’s reputation. Slate admires Blake for her leadership, loyalty, and the emotional support she offers not only to me but also to many others who are close to her.

The information disclosed regarding Blake’s attack is incredibly grim, unsettling, and entirely menacing, as the Parks and Recreation alum went on to say. I applaud my friend, I respect her courage, and I remain steadfastly by her side.

In an Instagram Story post on December 23rd, the co-star who is working with Lively in the upcoming sequel to A Simple Favor, expressed affection towards her and mentioned that he empathized with her “suffering” during their filming sessions earlier this year.

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2025-01-01 04:49