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Blake Lively's legal team got hold of damaging Justin Baldoni texts

Blake Lively's legal team got hold of damaging Justin Baldoni texts
Published 3 weeks ago on Dec 30, 2024

Blake Lively’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni has escalated following the release of alleged text messages that her legal team claims reveal a coordinated effort to tarnish her reputation.

The texts, reportedly obtained through a legal subpoena, were presented as evidence in Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni. They allegedly expose a detailed strategy by Baldoni’s crisis management team to launch a “smear campaign” against the actress after she raised concerns about working conditions on the set of their film, It Ends With Us.

Subpoenaed Texts Unveil Alleged Campaign

According to The Los Angeles Times, the text messages were sourced from a phone belonging to Jennifer Abel, Baldoni’s former publicist, who left her role due to alleged bullying. The messages were reportedly acquired through a civil subpoena, although legal experts speculate the subpoena may have been issued in an unrelated case and later applied to Lively’s lawsuit.

Lively’s attorneys claim the texts detail a “multi-tiered plan” to discredit her. Among the allegations are messages showing Baldoni’s team discussing strategies to portray Lively as difficult to work with and planning targeted social media narratives.

Legal Fallout Expands

The lawsuit against Baldoni includes claims of sexual harassment and fostering a toxic work environment—allegations he has vehemently denied. Additionally, Baldoni, his company Wayfarer Studios, and his crisis PR team face a separate lawsuit from Stephanie Jones, the head of Jonesworks PR. Jones accuses Abel and crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan of defamation, breach of contract, and orchestrating a smear campaign against both her and Lively.

Jones alleges that Abel and Nathan conspired to steal Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios as clients, all while discrediting Jones and blaming her for negative press about Lively.

Explosive Text Message Revelations

The text messages included in Lively’s legal complaint provide a behind-the-scenes look at the alleged smear campaign. In one exchange, Nathan reportedly told Abel, “We can bury anyone,” in reference to Lively. Another message from Abel mentioned “reckless thoughts of wanting to plant pieces this week about how horrible Blake is to work with.”

Baldoni himself allegedly suggested launching a social media campaign, referencing a Twitter thread about Hailey Bieber as an example of the type of strategy they needed.

Allegations of Harassment

Lively’s lawsuit also includes allegations of inappropriate behavior by Baldoni on set, including lingering during intimate scenes and making comments about her weight. The complaint further claims Baldoni barged into Lively’s trailer while she was breastfeeding and showed her explicit videos of his wife.

These incidents reportedly prompted a January meeting between Lively, Baldoni, and studio representatives, during which several changes were implemented, including the addition of an intimacy coordinator.

Baldoni’s Defense

Baldoni’s attorney, Brian Freedman, has dismissed the allegations as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” Freedman claims the crisis management team’s actions were standard operating procedures and denies any proactive retaliation against Lively.

He also accused Lively of threatening to sabotage the film’s production and marketing unless her demands were met, which allegedly led Wayfarer Studios to hire a crisis manager.

Broader Implications

Lively’s legal action highlights the growing scrutiny over workplace misconduct in Hollywood. In a statement, she expressed hope that her lawsuit would “pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics” and protect others from similar treatment.

As the lawsuits unfold, they promise to shed further light on the complex dynamics of power, reputation, and accountability in the entertainment industry.

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