Blake Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, denied allegations of planting false stories in the press against actor/director Justin Baldoni on the set of It Ends With Us. A Daily Mail article claimed that Baldoni planned to countersue Lively after the holidays, alleging that Sloane leaked stories to media outlets to tarnish Baldoni’s reputation. Lively’s rep stated that the allegations of HR complaints on set were brought to her attention by various press outlets, and she referred them to Wayfarer or Sony for information. Sloane asserted that the claims of originating press stories about HR complaints were false.
Lively had previously sued Baldoni for sexual harassment on the set of the film, and accused him of mounting a smear campaign against her during the press tour. Lively stated that she hoped her legal action would expose retaliatory tactics and protect others from being targeted for speaking up about misconduct. Baldoni, through his lawyer Bryan Freedman, called the allegations false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious. In response to the Daily Mail story about a possible countersuit, Freedman indicated that they would file lawsuits based on real evidence that would shock those who believed the false narrative.
Freedman, in his statement to Deadline, mentioned that he would not disclose the timing or number of lawsuits being filed but emphasized that they would be shocking and supported by real evidence. He criticized the unethical behavior and media manipulation that had fueled false narratives about Baldoni. The planned lawsuits aimed to provide the true story and expose the unethical conduct that had been perpetuated through the press. Freedman, drawing on his decades of legal experience, expressed disbelief at the level of manipulation and unethical behavior that had led to the false allegations against Baldoni.
The ongoing conflict between Lively and Baldoni had reached a legal battle, with both parties making claims against each other. Lively’s lawsuit alleged sexual harassment and smear campaigns, while Baldoni planned to countersue based on allegations of false stories being leaked by Lively’s publicist. The legal actions taken by both parties reflected a deepening divide and escalating tensions between the two actors. The involvement of legal counsel and the threat of lawsuits indicated the seriousness of the allegations and the intensity of the dispute that had unfolded on the set of It Ends With Us.
The public dispute involving Lively, Baldoni, and their respective legal teams highlighted the challenges and complexities of navigating allegations of misconduct and defamation in the entertainment industry. The use of the media to control narratives, the legal actions taken to defend reputations, and the impact of public perception on careers were all key elements in this unfolding drama. As the legal battle continued to unfold, it remained to be seen how the courts would adjudicate the conflicting claims and determine the truth behind the allegations of harassment, smear campaigns, and media manipulation. The resolution of this high-profile case would have far-reaching implications for how similar conflicts were handled in the future within the entertainment industry.
