It’s never-ending.
The Blake Lively plays leading role in film adaptation bestseller It Ends With Us | Movies & Series”>Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively scandal continues,with Baldoni,40,now being sued by his former publicist.
According to Variety, Steph Jones, who owns the public relations firm Jonesworks, has accused Baldoni of breaching their contract, wich required him to pay her $25,000 per month.
The Post reached out to Baldoni’s lawyer for comment.
Baldoni parted ways with Jonesworks in August, after his Jonesworks publicist, Jennifer Abel, left the company to form her own firm.
Jones also sued Abel and publicist Melissa Nathan. She has accused them of deploying the alleged “smear campaign” against Lively behind her back and without her knowledge.
“To this day, Abel and Nathan continue to point the finger falsely at Jones now that their own misconduct is coming to light, and to defame and attack Jones in the industry,” the lawsuit states.
On Saturday, Lively, 37, filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, who not only co-starred in “It Ends With Us” but also directed it.
The movie is about a domestic violence relationship between their characters,and it’s based on a best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover.
Lively’s lawsuit alleged that Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of their hit film.
According to the legal docs, the “Gossip Girl” also accused Baldoni of “a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation” after the movie was released.
Lively said in the docs that the alleged smear campaign caused harm to her business and led to her family experiencing “severe emotional distress.”
The movie premiered over the summer, and it was a hit, grossing over $300 million on a $25 million budget.
At the time, there where rumors of a feud between Lively and Baldoni, as they seemingly strangely didn’t appear together to promote the film.
Fans of the movie noted that many members of the cast unfollowed Baldoni on social media, adding fuel to the fire of the speculation.
Lively underwent a barrage of negative publicity upon the movie’s release and was dubbed a “mean girl” after a journalist claimed an uncomfortable interview with the star led her to quit her job.
After the suit became public, Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman told The Post: “It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, as yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation.”
According to the legal docs, Lively alleges it was Baldoni who made things untenable on set.
Lively alleged in the suit that “things got so bad during filming, there was an all-hands-on-deck meeting to address what she claims was a unfriendly work habitat.”
The “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” actress also claimed that Baldoni and his allies “engaged in a ‘social manipulation’ campaign to ‘destroy’ her reputation.”
As evidence, she included texts from Baldoni’s publicist to a studio publicist saying the actor “wants to feel like [Ms. Lively] can be buried.”
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Actor Justin Baldoni is facing serious allegations, prompting a swift and forceful denial from his legal team. The claims, which have emerged amidst a larger controversy involving actress Blake Lively, have ignited a firestorm of media attention.
In a statement released to the press, Baldoni’s lawyer characterized the allegations as “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”
The controversy has drawn in other actors involved in the same project. Jenny Slate,who co-starred with Baldoni,issued a statement of her own on Tuesday,expressing solidarity with Lively.
“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,” Slate stated. Her statement continued, emphasizing the gravity of the situation: “What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing and wholly threatening. I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”
The specifics of the allegations remain unclear, but the situation underscores the complexities and challenges faced by actors navigating public scrutiny and accusations. The unfolding events are likely to continue to dominate headlines in the coming days.
Blake Lively Scandal: Legal Fallout and Reputational Damage
Following the recent lawsuit filed by Blake Lively against her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director justin Baldoni, many questions remain about the unfolding drama.We spoke with Hollywood legal expert, Sarah Kensington, to get insight into the legal implications and wider reputational impact of the allegations.
Lively’s Allegations: Sexual Harassment and Smear campaign
Senior Editor, World-Today-News: Ms. Kensington, Blake Lively alleges in her lawsuit that she was subjected to sexual harassment by Justin Baldoni on the set of “It Ends With Us” and later targeted by a smear campaign designed to damage her reputation. What are the potential legal ramifications for Baldoni if these allegations are proven true?
Sarah Kensington: The accusations made by Ms.Lively are serious and carry substantial legal weight. if proven, the sexual harassment claim coudl result in important financial damages for Mr. Baldoni, including compensatory and punitive damages. The smear campaign allegation adds another layer of complexity, perhaps leading to claims of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, further increasing the potential legal consequences
Public Perception and the impact on “It Ends With Us”
Senior Editor, World-Today-News: media reports have documented some seemingly frosty exchanges between Lively and Baldoni during the film’s promotional campaign. How might this unfolding situation impact the movie’s success and the careers of both actors?
sarah Kensington: “It Ends With Us” has already been a box-office success, but this scandal undoubtedly casts a shadow over its achievements. The public loves a good drama, and this real-life conflict may draw increased attention to the film in the short term. However, for both actors, the long-term impact on their careers depends on how the allegations are addressed and ultimately resolved.
If the allegations are substantiated, both Lively and Baldoni could face reputational damage. Lively may struggle to secure future roles if she is perceived as difficult to work with, while Baldoni’s career could be significantly jeopardized by the sexual harassment allegations.
The role of Public relations
Senior Editor, World-Today-news: We’ve also seen reports of a publicist lawsuit linked to this case.
Sarah Kensington: The involvement of publicists in this situation,especially the accusations of a smear campaign,adds another dimension to the complexity. The pending lawsuit against Baldoni’s former publicist raises questions about the role of PR in managing celebrity image and the potential ethical dilemmas they face when caught in the crossfire of these disputes.
Ultimately, these legal battles will likely be protracted and highly publicized, making it crucial for both Lively and Baldoni to seek experienced legal counsel and carefully manage their public image as the situation unfolds.
