Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Responds to Blake Lively’s Allegations with New Claims

Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Responds to Blake Lively’s Allegations with New Claims

By Web Desk | December 24, 2024

The legal battle between It Ends With Us co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively escalated this week, with Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, issuing a detailed statement countering Lively’s sexual harassment complaint. The lawsuit has added fuel to rumors of tension between the two actors, which began during the film’s promotional tour.

According to People, Freedman’s statement, released on Monday, December 23, sought to defend Baldoni’s actions and those of his crisis management team. Freedman argued that Baldoni’s public relations firm, TAG PR, acted appropriately in the face of threats allegedly made against the actor by "two extremely powerful individuals with unlimited resources."

"TAG PR operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats from individuals with immense power and influence," Freedman stated, directly addressing Lively’s accusations that Baldoni’s PR team engaged in a smear campaign to damage her reputation and career.

Freedman dismissed the claims of a coordinated smear campaign, suggesting instead that the public’s negative reaction to Lively stemmed from her own behavior during the film’s marketing efforts.

"The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary," Freedman asserted. "Audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews, and promotional tactics distasteful, leading to organic backlash that the media naturally picked up on."

Freedman also criticized The New York Times for publishing leaked personal text messages between Baldoni and Lively without context. He argued that the publication played into what he described as Lively’s strategy of manipulating public perception.

"It’s ironic that The New York Times published these private messages out of context," Freedman remarked. "This move aligns with the very tactics Lively accuses TAG PR of employing, further undermining her claims."

Allegations and Counter-Allegations

Blake Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni and his public relations team of orchestrating a campaign to "destroy" her reputation during the promotional period for It Ends With Us. The lawsuit alleges that TAG PR’s actions included planting damaging stories in the media and leaking information to harm Lively’s personal and professional standing.

Freedman’s response emphasized that any negative publicity surrounding Lively was self-inflicted, pointing to the backlash she received for interviews and promotional strategies during the film’s release. He argued that the alleged smear campaign did not exist and that the public’s reaction was a natural consequence of Lively’s own conduct.

Background Tensions

Rumors of discord between Baldoni and Lively began circulating during the promotional tour for It Ends With Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Baldoni, who directed and starred in the film, frequently appeared alone during press events and avoided joint appearances with other cast members, including Lively.

Amid these rumors, Baldoni reportedly hired crisis PR manager Melissa Nathan of TAG PR to navigate the fallout from the press tour and the film’s release.

A Case That Divides Public Opinion

The case has sparked heated public debate, with supporters of both actors weighing in on social media. Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and defamation have drawn attention to issues of power dynamics and reputation management in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Baldoni’s team insists that the actor and his PR firm acted only to protect him from what they claim were targeted threats and reputational attacks.

As the legal proceedings unfold, this high-profile lawsuit is expected to continue making headlines, shedding light on the complexities of celebrity disputes and the strategies employed in damage control within the entertainment industry.