Blake Lively is back in the spotlight with another legal battle against Justin Baldoni. Just two weeks after filing her initial lawsuit, the actress is suing the “It Ends With Us” director once again. This time, she’s going after Baldoni, his publicist Jennifer Abel, and crisis PR consultant Melissa Nathan. The lawsuit, filed on New Year’s Eve, is a dramatic escalation in Lively’s war with Baldoni and his team.
New Lawsuit: Accusations of Retaliation and emotional Distress
Lively, 37, is accusing Baldoni and his associates of causing her severe emotional distress, mental anguish, and lost wages. She wants both punitive and compensatory damages, along with a jury trial. The lawsuit also targets Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios claiming they retaliated against her after she went public with sexual harassment accusations.
Baldoni fires Back: $250 Million libel Suit against the New York Times
This follows Baldoni’s own legal move. On the same day Lively filed her second suit. He filed a massive $250 million libel suit against the New York Times. The Times reported on Lively’s original complaint. Baldoni was accused of creating a toxic, abusive work environment and engaging in sexual harassment. Baldoni denies all allegations. However, his career has suffered. He was dropped by his agency, William Morris Endeavor. Liz Plank, a host of his podcast, quit in solidarity with Lively.
Lively’s shocking Allegations against Baldoni
Lively’s first lawsuit, filed earlier this month, surprised Hollywood. She accused Baldoni of showing her explicit images of other women, entering her trailer while she was naked, and letting his friends watch her film sex scenes. She also said he touched her without asking, making her feel uncomfortable and violated.
The smear Campaign: PR Tactics to destroy Lively’s Image
Things got worse when Lively accused Baldoni’s PR team, including Abel and Nathan, of trying to ruin her reputation. She says she was unfairly attacked, with people on social media calling her a “mean girl” during the promotion of It Ends With Us. Lively’s lawyers say this backlash was part of a plan to discredit her. Text messages between Abel and Nathan, included in the lawsuit, show them planning to harm her image.
Disturbing Text Messages reveal the Plan to “Bury” Lively
One chilling exchange between Abel and Nathan reveals a disturbing strategy. Abel allegedly said Baldoni wanted Lively “buried,” and Nathan replied, “We can bury anyone, but I can’t write that to him.” These messages paint a picture of a deliberate PR campaign to destroy Lively’s career.
Baldoni responds: claims Lively is trying to fix her Reputation
Baldoni’s camp has not remained silent. His lawyer, Bryan Freedman, responded to Lively’s initial lawsuit, calling her allegations “false” and “outrageous.” Freedman claimed Lively was trying to fix her reputation after rumors spread that she was difficult to work with during the filming of the movie. He pointed to claims that Lively threatened not to show up on set and jeopardized the film’s release.
Bizarre Claims: Lively accuses Baldoni of intrusive Behavior
The drama didn’t stop there. Lively’s first lawsuit also included bizarre claims about Baldoni. She accused him of claiming a personal connection with her late father, Ernie Lively, who died in 2021. Lively found this behavior disturbing and emotionally intrusive, further fueling her desire to seek justice.
Lively doubles down: new Lawsuit continues the Fight
But Lively isn’t backing down. In her second lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, she doubles down on the claims of sexual harassment and the subsequent retaliation. Her legal team argues that Baldoni, Abel, Nathan, and Wayfarer Studios violated both federal and state laws by retaliating against her after she reported the harassment and unsafe working conditions.
Hollywood supports Lively: Co-Stars and Friends rally around her
Lively’s first lawsuit has already sparked a wave of support from her colleagues. Her “It Ends With Us” co-stars, Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate, have spoken out in her defense, as has author Colleen Hoover, whose novel inspired the film. Meanwhile, Lively’s personal life has also been a source of strength. She’s married to Ryan Reynolds and has a close friendship with pop icon Taylor Swift, both of whom have offered her their support.
The legal Drama continues: What’s next for Lively and Baldoni?
The legal fireworks between Lively and Baldoni show no signs of slowing down. With Baldoni now suing the New York Times for its coverage of the scandal, the stakes are higher than ever. As Lively presses her case in court, the public is watching closely, eager to see how this Hollywood drama unfolds.
