Justin Baldoni’s Career Faces Challenges After Lawsuit

On Friday, December 20, news broke that actor Blake Lively had filed a legal complaint against him. It ends with us directed and starring Justin Baldoni. Complaint contained allegations sexual harassment and a “tearful” retaliatory social media campaign coordinated by a crisis PR team to “destroy” him.

an explosive New York Times The revelation, which included leaked text messages between Baldoni and his PR team, seemingly supported the actor’s claim that an elaborate PR takedown resulted in an incident. avalanche of bad press during the promotional tour It ends with us. The article included subpoenaed text messages between Baldoni and his publishers. At the time of this writing, it’s been a week since Lively’s case went public, and Baldoni is already facing increasing negative influence from Hollywood and his legal troubles are mounting.

Who’s Named in Blake Lively’s Legal Complaint?

Justin Baldoni is one of several people in Blake Lively’s legal complaint, which names Jennifer Abel, CEO of production company Wayfarer Studios and the film’s executive producer and publicists Melissa Nathan and her agency The Agency Group, Baldoni’s publicist and her agency RWA Communications . and Jed Wallace and his agency Street Relations Inc.

Melissa Nathan is a crisis public relations expert who has worked for Johnny Depp throughout her career. Successful defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Additionally, there are between 1 and 100 people accused of ‘doing’ in the case. “Doing” is a legal term used to describe various anonymous parties.

All of the defendants staunchly deny Lively’s allegations. Baldoni’s public relations team said the text messages merely outlined script planning and that the action described would only be implemented if Lively made complaints about Baldoni, which she flagged in a private public meeting with Wayfarer studios, Baldoni and her husband Ryan Reynolds.

In a statement shared with multiple organizations, Rolling stone, Hollywoodd reporterAnd US WeeklyBaldoni’s legal representative, Bryan Freedman, called the allegations “disgraceful”, “serious and categorically false”.

Despite this and the number of others named in the case, Baldoni appears to be bearing the brunt of the accusations and faces backlash and mounting legal trouble in Hollywood.

Here’s a timeline of Justin Baldoni’s impacts so far.

Dropped By Agency

Accordingly Hollywood Reporter Justin Baldoni’s agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME), which represented Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, dropped Baldoni just hours after Lively’s complaint was made public.

Former Journalist Steph Jones Is Suing Him

Justin Baldoni will undoubtedly need a new PR rep at this time, but he won’t have much luck if he hopes to leverage previous contacts.

Baldoni’s former publicist, Steph Jones, filed a lawsuit against him, his company, and his current promotional team for breach of contract. As reported by Diversity Jones and his public relations group Joneswork were working on a multi-year contract with Baldoni that required him to pay him $25,000 a month. Instead, he left his firm in August 2024. New York Times Jones is also suing former Joneswork employee Jennifer Abel and Baldoni’s broader public relations team.

Jones claims Able was fired after stealing documents to start his own public relations firm. Journalist Melissa Nathan and Baldoni’s extensive public relations team are also named in his case. He accuses that the PR campaign against Lively was conducted without his knowledge and now they are trying to pin the blame on him. “To this day, Abel and Nathan continue to falsely point fingers at Jones and to denigrate and attack Jones in the industry as his misconduct has come to light,” the complaint states.

Podcast Co-Host Liz Plank Dumped Him

Baldoni hosted a podcast Man Enough She has been with journalist Liz Plank and since 2021 with Jamey Heath, CEO of Wayfarer, the production company named in Lively’s complaint. The podcast explores “what it means to be a man today and how rigid gender roles affect all people.” After the complaint, Plank Posted on Instagram He announced to his 631,000 followers that he would no longer appear Man Enough podcast.

“I am writing to you today to let you know that my agent has informed me that I will no longer be co-hosting Wayfarer. Man Enough podcast. Thank you for trusting me with your hearts and your stories, for giving me space, and for making this show what it is.” “As this chapter closes for me, I remain committed to the values ​​we created together. Thank you for being here, for trusting me, and for being by my side for the last four years.”

Although Plank did not directly address the allegations against Baldoni and Heath, he added:

“We all deserve better, and I know we can create it together. I will have more to share as I continue to process everything that has happened. “In the meantime, I will continue to support anyone who calls out injustice and holds accountable those who stand in their way.”

Voice of Solidarity Award Taken Away

On December 9, Baldoni was presented with the “Voices of Solidarity” award from the non-profit organization Vital Voices. This global nonprofit organization focuses on women’s empowerment. The award celebrates “exceptional men who demonstrate courage and compassion when advocating on behalf of women and girls.”

As reported by BBC, The organization announced on December 23 that the award would be rescinded following allegations of Lively’s “abhorrent behavior” that went against Vital Voices’ values.

At the time, Baldoni wrote on Instagram that he was “deeply honored and humbled” by the award. “My hope is that we can teach boys while they are young that vulnerability is strength, sensitivity is a superpower, and empathy makes them strong,” he wrote.

Elizabeth Day Deletes Podcast Episode Featuring Justin Baldoni

Elizabeth Day, host of the popular podcast December How to Fail, Interviewed by Justin Baldoni. Podcast notes described Justin Baldoni as “brilliant, empathetic, and incredibly effective.” Day shared a statement on Instagram on Tuesday explaining that she chose to delete the Dec. 4 interview.

“While the harrowing allegations against Blake Lively in her latest case are fully investigated, I have made the decision to remove the recent How To Fail interview with Justin Balondi from all platforms. Every individual has the right to a safe workplace. Every woman has the right to a dignified life in that workplace. All forms of abuse must be called out and individuals who dare to do so must be saluted. Elizabeth”

As reported by TMZ, In this episode, Baldoni discussed his adult ADHD diagnosis and shared his “near breakdown” during production. It ends with us.

It Ends With Us Cast Condemns His Alleged Behavior

The audience during the press tour was stunned It ends with us He said the film’s director and lead actress did not take any photos with the lead actress or the book’s author, Colleen Hoover. They also noted that Baldoni’s colleagues unfollowed him on Instagram. Now the cast is rallying around Blake Lively.

In a statement Today, Jenny Slate, who plays the sister of Justin Baldoni’s character Ryle in the film, voiced her support for Lively.

“As a fellow actor and friend of Blake Lively, I support her taking action against those who have reportedly planned and carried out attacks on her reputation. Blake is a leader, loyal friend, and reliable source of emotional support to me and the many who know and love him. What is revealed about the attack on Blake is extremely dark, disturbing and downright threatening. “I appreciate my friend, I admire his courage and I stand by him.”

Star Brandon Skenlar, who plays Lively’s character Lily Bloom’s love interest in the film, also expressed his support for the published investigation. New York Times, text: “For God’s sake, read this.”

It ends with us author Colleen Hoover, Amber Heard, Amy Schumer, and other celebrities including her The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants The cast is also rallying around Blake Lively.

Relating to

Yakut Feneley

Senior Writer

After completing a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature/Gender and Cultural Studies) at the University of Sydney, Ruby began her Australian media career as a media and marketing journalist. Mummy After a brief stint in fashion marketing in New York. A former makeup artist, she quickly transitioned into beauty journalism and held multiple positions within the company as Beauty Editor. It is possible to find Ruby’s articles in print and digital titles: Dizzy, GRAZIA, Sydney Morning Herald, Age, Australian Financial Review, Body + Soul, Refinery29, Popsugar, marie claire And by hand. Now as Senior Writer marie claire And ELLE AustraliaAs much as she loves covering internet subcultures, TikTok trends, sex, relationships, and fashion, she also loves scouring the shopping aisles for the best non-sticky lip gloss and tracking down the perfect liner for fake freckles.

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