Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign that implicates several high-profile celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber.
Allegations of Sexual Harassment
Lively’s legal complaint details multiple instances of alleged misconduct by Baldoni during the production of “It Ends With Us.” She accuses him of making inappropriate comments about her body, initiating unwanted physical contact, and sharing explicit details about his personal life. Additionally, Lively alleges that producer Jamey Heath contributed to a hostile work environment by showing her a video of his wife giving birth naked and entering her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed.
Retaliatory Smear Campaign Involving A-List Celebrities
The lawsuit further alleges that, after Lively reported the harassment, Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation. Evidence presented includes private text messages in which Baldoni and his crisis management team discussed strategies to discredit Lively. One such strategy involved leveraging Lively’s close friendship with Taylor Swift, suggesting narratives that portrayed feminism as a weapon and insinuating that individuals in Lively’s circle, like Swift, have been accused of utilizing such tactics to “bully” others.
Additionally, the campaign allegedly drew inspiration from negative social media posts about Hailey Bieber, using them as a model for attacks against Lively. This tactic aimed to create a hostile online environment, amplifying criticism and planting false narratives to undermine Lively’s credibility.
Industry Fallout and Support
In the wake of these allegations, Baldoni has faced professional repercussions, including being dropped by his talent agency, WME, which also represents Lively. Author Colleen Hoover, whose novel inspired the film, has publicly supported Lively, praising her honesty and kindness.
Legal and Public Relations Implications
Lively’s lawsuit sheds light on the alleged retaliatory practices within the entertainment industry, particularly against individuals who report misconduct. The involvement of high-profile figures like Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber underscores the far-reaching impact of such smear campaigns and the complex dynamics of public perception in Hollywood.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is expected to prompt discussions about workplace harassment, the ethics of crisis management strategies, and the responsibilities of public relations professionals in handling allegations of misconduct.