A new figure is being subpoenaed into the chat.
In the ongoing dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, where Baldoni’s countersuit was recently dismissed by a judge, a source close to the situation has confirmed to TopMob News that Scooter Braun’s company, HYBE America, has been summoned for testimony by Lively’s legal team on June 11.
According to Deadline, the purpose of the subpoena is to gather any records or details about Melissa Nathan’s work with Baldoni that HYBE America might possess. Nathan is one of the co-defendants named in Lively’s lawsuit along with the director of “It Ends With Us.” The American division of HYBE, a South Korean media firm, owns a significant share in Nathan’s crisis management agency, The Agency Group.
TopMob News reached out to HYBE American and reps for Braun but hasn’t heard back.
In December, Nathan Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and publicist Jennifer Abel were all mentioned in a lawsuit filed by Lively. According to TopMob News, the lawsuit claims that these parties participated in an effort to harm Lively’s reputation through “social manipulation,” which allegedly damaged her business and caused significant emotional distress to Lively and her family.
In a statement made to The New York Times during her lawsuit, Lively expressed her hope that her legal action would reveal the hidden, retaliatory tactics used against those who expose misconduct, thereby safeguarding others who might face similar situations.
Simultaneously, Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, informed the media outlet that Baldoni’s lawsuit aimed to rectify his tarnished reputation. He stated it as “unfounded, excessively sensational, and deliberately designed to cause public harm.
Currently, six months after the incident, Baldoni’s legal representatives are refuting any notion that their claim dismissal in the Lively case can be considered a complete triumph for her and her team. Instead, they view it as simply a stage in the proceedings.
The topic at hand revolves around allegations of fabricated charges of sexual harassment and retaliation, along with a supposed smear campaign that doesn’t actually exist. Freedman further clarified in a statement sent to TopMob News on June 10th. He stated that Ms. Lively’s team has labeled this as ‘untraceable’ because they cannot substantiate claims that didn’t occur in the first place. Crucially, Ms. Lively’s assertions are no more valid now than they were yesterday. With facts on our side, we press on with the same certainty we had when this dispute was initiated by Ms. Lively and her associates. We eagerly anticipate her upcoming deposition, which I will be conducting.
In the meantime, Lively’s legal team is optimistic that Baldoni and his group can amend their lawsuit and make another attempt, but they believe this may mark the conclusion of his case.
Following Lively’s complaint on Dec 21st, Nathan, Abel, and Baldoni were once more implicated in a different lawsuit, this time initiated by Baldoni’s former publicist, Stephanie Jones. In her filing, she alluded to an alleged smear campaign.
According to Jones’ statement in the lawsuit, which TopMob News reported, he claimed that without his knowledge, they conspired with Baldoni and Wayfarer to launch a harsh media defamation against Baldoni’s co-star. He further mentioned that they exploited the situation to create tension between him and Baldoni, and then falsely accused Jones of being behind the smear campaign when he had no part in it.
Previously, TopMob News attempted to get a response from Baldoni’s legal team when Jones made his initial filing, but we didn’t receive any reply. Later in March, as Variety reported, Baldoni filed a counterclaim against Jones, which was not part of the recent dismissal.
Previously, TopMob News attempted to get a response from Baldoni’s legal representatives when Jones filed his case, but we haven’t received any reply yet.
Currently, six months on, Baldoni’s legal representatives are refuting any notion that the dismissal of his claims in the Lively case equates to an unequivocal triumph for her and her legal team.
The focus of this matter revolves around unfounded allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, as well as an alleged smear campaign that is difficult to trace since it did not occur, according to Ms. Lively’s team’s own words. Freedman reiterated in a statement provided to TopMob News on June 10th. “What’s crucial is that Ms. Lively’s assertions are just as unsubstantiated today as they were yesterday. With the facts supporting our stance, we press ahead with the same conviction we held when this conflict was initiated by Ms. Lively and her associates. We eagerly anticipate her upcoming deposition, which I will be conducting.
In the meantime, Lively’s legal team is optimistic that Baldoni and his team may have an opportunity to amend their lawsuit with some modifications, although they believe this could mark the final stage in the case.
In simpler terms, Baldoni’s legal team’s attempts at rephrasing the facts, using strong language or clever bookkeeping won’t alter the humiliating truth they face, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb from Lively’s legal team stated to TopMob News. They added that their strategy of suing Blake Lively and her family with the intention of destroying them financially has been an absolute and total flop.
For more on the layered legal battle between the two Hollywood stars, keep reading.
Four months post the cinematic rendition of Colleen Hoover’s book “It Ends With Us”, I, as an ardent fan, found myself astonished by Blake Lively’s filing of a complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) against her costar Justin Baldoni and his associates on December 20, as reported by The New York Times.
In the complaint procured by TopMob News, Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios (Wayfarer), its CEO Jamey Heath, cofounder Steve Sarowitz, Baldoni’s publicist Jennifer Abel, her company RWA Communications, crisis communications specialist Melissa Nathan, her company The Agency Group PR LLC (TAG), contractor Jed Wallace and his company Street Relations Inc. were named as defendants.
Lively asserted in her complaint that Baldoni and his Wayfarer associates had embarked on a complex press and digital strategy in retaliation for her expressing concerns about alleged misconduct on set, with her stating that she and other cast and crew members “encountered invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional, and sexually inappropriate behavior” by Baldoni and Heath.
The actress further claimed that this alleged campaign against her caused “significant harm” to her personally and professionally. The accusations detailed in the complaint include sexual harassment; retaliation; failure to investigate, prevent, and/or remedy harassment; aiding and abetting harassment and retaliation; breach of contract; intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligence; false light invasion of privacy, and interference with prospective economic advantage.
The following day, an article emerged in The New York Times, detailing a supposed counterattack smear operation that Baldoni and his allies were accused of carrying out against Lively—referencing her CRD complaint. In its coverage, the publication disclosed messages exchanged by Baldoni, Abel (his publicist), Nathan (crisis communications specialist), and others, which were part of her complaint. The newspaper’s online platform even provided access to the related court documents for readers. Lively communicated to the outlet, “I hope my legal action serves to expose these underhanded retaliatory maneuvers intended to harm those who speak up about misconduct, and safeguard others who might become targets.
—Reporting by Sara Ouerfelli
Following the disclosure of Lively’s grievances, Bryan Freedman – lawyer for Baldoni, Wayfarer, and their associates – vigorously dismissed Lively’s claims. In a statement published on The New York Times website, he stated:
“It is regrettable that Miss Lively and her representatives would make such severe and unquestionably false allegations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and their associates, as another desperate attempt to improve her unfavorable reputation which stemmed from her own statements and actions during the movie’s promotional campaign; interviews and media activities that were accessible to the public, in real time and unedited, providing an opportunity for the internet to form its own opinions. These assertions are entirely false, shocking, deliberately sensational with the intention of causing public harm and perpetuating a narrative in the media.”
Freedman also justified Wayfarer’s choice to engage a crisis manager, explaining that this was done prior to the movie’s marketing campaign.
“The representatives of Wayfarer Studios took no proactive measures nor retaliated; they only responded to incoming media inquiries to ensure fair and accurate reporting and monitored social activity,” he later added. “What is notably absent from the selectively presented correspondence is the evidence that no proactive measures were taken with media or otherwise; just internal strategic planning and private communication, which is standard practice among public relations professionals.
After an article by The New York Times was published on December 21, the talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) ended its association with Baldoni. Ari Emanuel, CEO of WME’s parent company Endeavor, confirmed this to the outlet. However, it is important to note that WME denies Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, played any role in their decision to part ways with Baldoni. This allegation was later made by Baldoni in his lawsuit against The New York Times (more on that below).
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on January 1, WME declared that the claim in Baldoni’s filing, regarding Reynolds pressuring Baldoni’s agent at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere, is false. WME further clarified that Baldoni’s former representative was not present at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere and there was no pressure from Reynolds or Lively at any time to drop Baldoni as a client.
After Blake Lively’s CRD filing and a New York Times article, several notable figures expressed their support for her accusations against Baldoni. Among them was the author of ‘It Ends With Us’, Colleen Hoover, who posted on Instagram Stories on December 21, praising Lively and linking to The New York Times.
Actress Jenny Slate, who played the sister of Baldoni’s character Ryle, also showed her support for Lively. On December 23, she issued a statement to Today, saying “As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation.” She added that Lively is a leader, loyal friend, and emotional support for many.
Brandon Sklenar, a love interest for Lively’s character Lily Bloom, shared a screenshot of the complaint published on The New York Times’ website and linked to the outlet, writing “For the love of God read this.”
Furthermore, Lively’s ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ costars America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn wrote that they stand with her in solidarity.
Liz Plank recently shared her decision to step down from her co-host role on “The Man Enough Podcast,” which she shared with Baldoni and Heath. In an Instagram post, she expressed gratitude for the trust, stories, and community that the podcast provided, stating that she will miss the listeners dearly. However, she didn’t specify the reason behind her exit. The announcement came shortly after Lively’s complaint against Baldoni and his associates at Wayfarer.
Plank emphasized that she remains dedicated to the values they built together and expressed appreciation for the support received throughout the past four years. She concluded by mentioning that she will share more about her thoughts and feelings soon, and in the meantime, she will continue to support those who speak out against injustice and hold accountable those who obstruct them.
In a lawsuit filed against him, his company Wayfarer, his current publicist Abel, crisis communications specialist Nathan, and previously his publicist Stephanie Jones and her agency Jonesworks LLC, Baldoni is accused of orchestrating a months-long conspiracy to publicly and privately attack Jones and Jonesworks. The lawsuit claims that Abel and Nathan breached multiple contracts, induced contractual breaches, and stole clients and business opportunities.
Behind Jones’ back, Abel and Nathan are said to have secretly collaborated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to launch an aggressive smear campaign against one of Baldoni’s film co-stars. They then used this crisis as an opportunity to create a rift between Jones and Baldoni, and to publicly blame Jones for the smear campaign, despite her having no knowledge or involvement in it.
Abel had been working at Jonesworks until last summer, according to her LinkedIn profile. The lawsuit alleges that Abel and Nathan are now falsely accusing Jones as their own misconduct comes to light, and defaming and attacking her in the industry.
Baldoni and Wayfarer, who are no longer clients of Jonesworks, are accused of repudiating their contractual obligations with Jonesworks and refusing to settle this dispute privately through arbitration. The news outlet TopMob News reached out to the defendants for comment.
In a statement given to Variety on December 23rd, Lively’s legal team explained they obtained the text excerpts mentioned in The New York Times article through a subpoena sent to Jonesworks. Freedman, who represents both Nathan, Abel, Baldoni, and their Wayfarer associates, further clarified that none of his clients were served a subpoena concerning this matter. He also expressed his intention to file a lawsuit against Jones for disclosing messages from Abel’s phone to Lively’s legal team.
Baldoni, Wayfarer, Heath, Sarowitz, Nathan, TAG, Abel, RWA Communications, Wallace and Street Relations filed a lawsuit against The New York Times Dec. 31.
In the lawsuit obtained by TopMob News, The New York Times is accused of libel, false light invasion of privacy, promissory fraud and breach of implied-in-fact contract for its article about a retaliatory smear campaign the plaintiffs allegedly conducted against Lively after she voiced concerns about purported misconduct on set.
Saying the report was “false” and based on Lively’s CRD complaint, the plaintiffs denied the accusations and alleged messages cited in the article and complaint were taken out of context.
“Despite its claim to have ‘reviewed these along with other documents[,]’ the Times relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative,” the lawsuit says, “lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives.”
They also allege “it was Lively, not Plaintiffs, who engaged in a calculated smear campaign.” She has denied this.
The New York Times said it plans to “vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”
“The role of an independent news organization is to follow the facts where they lead,” it stated to TopMob. “Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article.”
On the very same day, Lively initiated a legal action against Baldoni, Wayfarer, Heath, Sarowitz, It Ends With Us Movie LLC, Nathan, his company TAG, and Abel in New York. The court documents obtained by TopMob News suggest that she is accusing these defendants of sexual harassment, retaliation, failing to address harassment, aiding and abetting harassment and retaliation, breach of contract, intentionally causing emotional distress, negligently causing emotional distress, false light invasion of privacy.
The accusations in the lawsuit were initially detailed in the CRD complaint Lively filed earlier that month. In response to the lawsuit Baldoni and his associates filed against The New York Times—which does not list Lively as a defendant—her lawyers stated to TopMob that “the claims in this lawsuit do not alter anything about the allegations in her CRD and federal complaints.”
“This lawsuit is based on the incorrect assumption that Lively’s administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a trick to avoid suing Baldoni, Wayfarer,” they continued. “As demonstrated by the federal complaint filed by Lively today, this perspective for the Wayfarer lawsuit is false.
In their lawsuit against The New York Times, Baldoni and his team have indicated that they have more to address. According to court documents, there are other wrongdoers implicated, and it is clear that this will not be the only legal action they take. In a January 2 interview with NBC News, Baldoni’s attorney Freedman confirmed their intention to sue Lively as well.
The chatter surrounding Baldoni and Lively hasn’t died down, with some social media users suggesting that Reynolds mocked Baldoni in his film “Deadpool & Wolverine” through the character Nicepool.
Reynolds has yet to address these rumors; however, Baldoni’s lawyer, Freedman, shared his thoughts on the matter during an interview on “The Megyn Kelly Show,” which was posted to YouTube on January 7th.
Freedman stated, “When your wife is sexually harassed, you don’t make light of Justin Baldoni’s situation. Instead, you treat it seriously, file complaints, and follow proper legal procedures. What you don’t do is mock the person and turn it into a joke.
During a recent statement, Lively’s legal team stated that since she filed her lawsuit against them, there have been further instances of alleged mistreatment towards her. The lawsuit, which is currently being heard in the Southern District of New York, alleges severe cases of sexual harassment and retaliation. This isn’t a mere disagreement or he-said-she-said situation, as Wayfarer and their associates are accused of using unlawful astroturfing to retaliate against Lively when she was trying to ensure safety on a film set. Since the lawsuit was filed, they have continued these attacks against her.
In the meantime, Lively’s lawyers emphasize that sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in all workplaces and industries. They warn against tactics often used to deflect such misconduct allegations, like victim-blaming or reversing the roles of offender and victim. These strategies aim to minimize and trivialize serious misconduct claims, but media statements do not serve as a defense for Lively’s allegations. Instead, her legal team plans to present their case in court.
On January 16th, Baldoni, Heath, Wayfarer, publicist Abel, crisis communication specialist Nathan, and It Ends With Us Movie LLC filed a lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, Leslie Sloane (her publicist), and Sloane’s firm Vision PR in New York.
The lawsuit, obtained by TopMob News, alleges that all defendants are responsible for civil extortion, defamation, false light invasion of privacy, among other charges. Lively and Reynolds are additionally accused of breaching the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional interference with contractual relations, and causing economic harm through negligent actions.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs refute Lively’s claims of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign against her. They also accuse her of seizing control over It Ends With Us and collaborating with Reynolds, Sloane, Jones, and others to damage the reputation of the plaintiffs in the media after she faced criticism for promoting the film. (Lively stated in her filings that she promoted the movie according to Sony’s marketing plan.)
In their lawsuit, plaintiffs claim that defendants collaborated with The New York Times to publish a sensational news piece that was as inaccurate as it was damaging. However, The Times has defended its report.
In response to TopMob’s inquiry, Freedman stated, “Either Blake Lively was deceived by her team or she deliberately and knowingly distorted the truth.
A woman presents solid proof of sexual harassment and retaliation, and the abuser tries to shift the blame onto the victim. Experts refer to this strategy as DARVO – Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender.
She went on to accuse him of responding defensively after she levied charges against him, asserting that Baldoni is attempting to change the storyline, implying that Lively took over creative direction and drove the cast away from Mr. Baldoni.
It was further stated,” it went on, “that the cast and others had encountered unfavorable incidents with Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer. The evidence will also reveal that Sony tasked Ms. Lively to supervise Sony’s version of the film, which they subsequently chose for distribution and turned out to be a major hit.
Her team went on to slam Baldoni’s reaction to her allegations of harassment.
In their defense against sexual harassment accusations, they attempted to blame the victim, implying she consented and it was her fault. Similarly, they pointed fingers at her clothing as the reason for the incident, according to her legal team. Essentially, while the victim concentrates on the abuse, the abuser focuses on the victim herself. This tactic of blaming the woman is a desperate move, it does not disprove the evidence presented in Ms. Lively’s complaint, and it will ultimately fall short.
In a disclosure of unseen footage from the set of “It Ends With Us“, Baldoni’s lawyer declared that the actor’s behavior in the video “categorically contradicts” the portrayal of him by Ms. Lively.
In a passionate declaration, I, as an ardent admirer, affirm that the pivotal moment under scrutiny was meticulously crafted to portray the blossoming romance between the two captivating characters. It’s evident in this scene that both actors are not only embodying their roles with profound dedication but also maintaining a harmonious rapport, filled with mutual respect and unwavering professionalism.
Nevertheless, Lively’s lawyers argue that the video aligns precisely with Lively’s account as stated in her lawsuit, and they claim that every instance depicted in the video was spontaneously created by Baldoni without any prior discussion or agreement.
The video depicts Miss Lively pulling back multiple times and urging the characters to simply converse, as reported by TopMob News in a statement. A similar unease is likely to be relatable for any woman who has experienced unwanted physical contact at work.
In the context of my involvement in this ongoing case, I have penned a missive to the presiding judge, advocating for the imposition of a gag order on Freedman, who leads Baldoni’s legal team. This measure is being proposed with the intention of safeguarding against any unsuitable behavior during our judicial proceedings.
Online, a seven-minute voice recording supposedly sent by Baldoni to Lively during the production of It Ends With Us surfaced. In this recording, it seems Baldoni discussed the movie’s rooftop scene that Lively had rewritten and mentioned a meeting with Reynolds and their mutual friend Taylor Swift, where they supposedly presented these changes to him.
He mentioned to Lively, “It’s great to have friends as imaginative as them, not just because they’re among the most innovative individuals globally. The trio of you is simply incredible!
In the recording, it appears Baldoni also seemed to offer an apology to the actress for his less-than-enthusiastic response to her script, stating, “I made a mistake. One important thing about me is that I will acknowledge and apologize when I fall short.
A court hearing has been scheduled for March 9, 2026, exactly one month after Lively initiated legal action against Baldoni.
According to reports from TopMob News, Baldoni’s legal team has revised their January 16th counterclaim filed in the U.S. District Court against Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane to now include The New York Times as well.
In the revised report, Baldoni alleged that Lively and her associates conspired for several months, disseminating untruths to The New York Times.
In a different case, not related to the $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times, it was claimed that the newspaper selectively presented and manipulated certain communications, removing essential context, and intentionally edited them in a way that led to deception.
Baldoni established a website that includes details about his legal action against Lively, featuring the initial amended complaint submitted by Baldoni’s legal team on January 31 and a “chronology of significant events.” The timeline document reportedly contains screenshots of text conversations between Lively, Reynolds, and Baldoni.
The website was unveiled a month following when Freedman announced his team’s intention to disclose “all text messages exchanged between them.
In a January 2 interview with NBC News, Baldoni’s lawyer expressed that they desire transparency and have a wish for the relevant documents to become accessible. They believe people should form their own opinions using the available receipts as evidence.
In my capacity as a devoted supporter, I’d like to share that I recently learned about an update in the situation regarding “It Ends.” I was informed that lawyers for Lively filed an amended complaint, asserting that two additional female crew members who worked on the production shared feelings of discomfort due to Baldoni’s conduct on set.
TopMob News obtained a complaint stating that it wasn’t just Ms. Lively who voiced concerns about Mr. Baldoni. The events involving Ms. Lively and others were recorded, starting in May 2023. Crucially, contrary to the story the Defendants have concocted, Mr. Baldoni admitted the complaints in writing at the time. He was aware that women other than Ms. Lively also felt uneasy and had lodged complaints about his conduct.
In the revised lawsuit, the two potential witnesses who were supposed to testify, as mentioned by Lively, were not specifically named because of the potentially harmful environment filled with threats, harassment, and intimidation that seemed to be instigated by the defendants’ reprisal efforts.
Speaking directly to TopMob, I, as a lifestyle expert, find myself compelled to express my views on the matter at hand. In this instance, Freedman boldly contends that the allegations made are brimming with “unverified rumors” and insinuates that those unnamed individuals, who were initially involved, are no longer eager or willing to corroborate her assertions in a public forum.
Following Baldoni’s allegations that Sloane was spreading “harmful tales” depicting him as a “sexual offender” and masterminding a “defamatory campaign” at Lively’s behest, Sloane chose to request dismissal from the ongoing lawsuit.
According to papers obtained by TopMob News, Sloane’s lawyer claimed that there wasn’t any real foundation for the charges brought against their client. Instead, they argued that she was unjustly involved in the lawsuit as a way to create confusion and divert attention away from Lively’s allegations.
Nick Shapiro, who previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the CIA, was enlisted by Lively to provide counsel on the legal communication strategy for a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit underway in the Southern District of New York. This information was shared by a team member from Willkie Farr & Gallagher with Variety on February 28th.
Previously employed by the CIA during the Obama administration from 2013 to 2015, Shapiro later moved on to assume roles such as Visa’s vice president of global security and communications, followed by Airbnb’s global head of crisis management. Following a stint of three years with the rental company, he established his own consulting firm, 10th Avenue Consulting LLC.
topmob news reports that The New York Times, currently involved in a $250 million lawsuit with Baldoni, has submitted a motion to be released from a separate $400 million lawsuit involving Lively, Baldoni, and Sloane. In simpler terms, The New York Times wants out of the second, larger lawsuit.
In the court filing, the newspaper contended that Baldoni’s team was spinning a “single-version story that has generated numerous news headlines,” but emphasized that “The Times should not be part of this legal conflict.
After The New York Times filed a motion to dismiss, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman agreed and granted the newspaper’s request to delay the discovery process, as indicated by documents acquired by TopMob News.
The judge’s decision, asking for a temporary pause in the exchange of data or records between parties, was approved, following his review of the newspaper’s motion filed on February 28th.
In a document dated March 4, Liman pointed out that the New York Times has provided “solid reasons” and “a convincing argument” suggesting that their motion to discard the case could likely be granted based on its merits.
In my professional opinion, I share the judge’s viewpoint that my legal team won’t unfairly suffer from a delay during the court’s decision-making process on the upcoming motion. Instead, let me rephrase it: I trust that the temporary hold won’t unjustly disadvantage my legal team while the court reviews the pending motion.
In response to TopMob News, a representative of the New York Times stated their gratitude for today’s court decision, which upholds the significance of First Amendment rights. The court has prevented Mr. Baldoni from imposing unnecessary discovery demands on The Times in a lawsuit that lacks merit.
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2025-06-11 21:19