Blake Lively’s Allegations Against Co-Star Justin Baldoni Gain Support in Publicist’s Lawsuit

Blake Lively

Blake Lively’s claims that her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, orchestrated a smear campaign against her have gained new credibility. A lawsuit filed by Baldoni’s former publicist, Stephanie Jones, further supports Lively’s allegations, intensifying the controversy surrounding the actor and filmmaker.

Publicist’s Lawsuit Supports Lively’s Claims

Filed on Tuesday in a New York state court, the lawsuit details Jones’ professional relationship with Baldoni, which began in 2017. By 2020, their agreement had expanded, with Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, paying Jones a $25,000 monthly retainer. However, according to the lawsuit, when It Ends With Us premiered in August 2024, Baldoni allegedly collaborated with publicists to discredit Lively in response to growing accusations of misogynistic and toxic behavior on set.

Jones is seeking unspecified damages from Baldoni, Wayfarer, and Jennifer Abel, a former employee whom Jones accuses of executing the smear campaign. The lawsuit alleges that Abel stole over 70 proprietary business documents and client contacts from Jonesworks before leaving to establish her own PR firm—bringing Baldoni and Wayfarer along as clients.

Alleged Media Manipulation and Harassment

The lawsuit also claims that Abel worked alongside crisis management expert Melissa Nathan—who has previously represented Johnny Depp—to manipulate media narratives that would damage Lively and Jones’ reputations. Evidence presented in court includes text messages recovered from Abel’s company phone after her termination.

In response to these allegations, Abel provided screenshots of past conversations with Jones, including a July 26 email in which she expressed her intention to maintain a professional and amicable relationship. Nathan has yet to comment on the lawsuit.

Lively’s Harassment Allegations Against Baldoni

Just last week, Lively took legal action by filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. In her statement, she accused Baldoni and another producer of persistent sexual harassment during the film’s production. Lively, 37, along with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reportedly attempted to address these concerns, but their efforts were met with retaliation.

Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, vehemently denied Lively’s claims, calling them “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” He further argued that the studio had only hired a crisis manager due to “multiple demands and threats made by Ms. Lively during production.”

Box Office Success Amid Controversy

Despite the escalating legal battle, It Ends With Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, exceeded expectations at the box office. The film debuted with $50 million in opening weekend sales, ultimately grossing close to $350 million worldwide.

Baldoni, best known for his role in Jane the Virgin, previously directed Five Feet Apart and authored Man Enough, a book challenging traditional masculinity. As legal proceedings unfold, the allegations against him continue to generate widespread attention in Hollywood and beyond.

Source: AP News


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