Drama escalates in Hollywood as Justin Baldoni prepares to hit back at Blake Lively with a countersuit. The It Ends with Us actor/director is ready to fight fire with fire after Lively filed a federal complaint accusing him of sexual harassment and launching a retaliatory smear campaign. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, confirmed this bold move in an interview with NBC News on Thursday, January 2.
Freedman didn’t mince words. When asked if his client would sue Lively, he replied, “Absolutely… yes.” He added, “We plan to release every single text message between the two of them. We want the truth to be out there and want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts.”
The brewing legal battle stems from Lively’s explosive December 20 complaint. In it, she alleged Baldoni’s behavior caused her “grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety” during the production and promotion of It Ends with Us. According to Lively, Baldoni showed her explicit images, probed her about her personal sex life, and attempted to add intimate scenes to the film that she hadn’t agreed to. But that wasn’t all. She also accused Baldoni, his publicist Jennifer Abel, and crisis publicist Melissa Nathan of orchestrating a smear campaign to destroy her reputation.
Baldoni’s legal Counterattack
Baldoni’s camp is hitting back hard. Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, publicist Jennifer Abel, and crisis publicist Melissa Nathan will all be plaintiffs in the countersuit. The lawsuit will name Lively, her publicist Leslie Sloane, and Baldoni’s former publicist Stephanie Jones as defendants. Jones, notably, had already sued Baldoni and others on December 24.
Freedman has been vocal about their intent. “This lawsuit will uncover and expose the false and destructive narrative that was intentionally engineered,”. While the exact filing date remains under wraps, sources close to the case said it will happen “soon.”
Retaliatory Tactics and Media Manipulation
Lively’s complaint isn’t the only legal drama. Baldoni recently filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times over a December 21 article titled “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine.” The lawsuit claims the newspaper used “cherry-picked” and manipulated communications to mislead readers about the It Ends with Us controversy.
The New York Times has stood by its reporting, calling it “meticulously and responsibly reported.” Meanwhile, Lively told the paper, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
The Fallout
The fallout from this legal feud is massive. Baldoni’s career has taken a hit. His talent agency, WME, dropped him, even though it still represents Lively. His co-host on The Man Enough podcast also stepped away from the show. On the flip side, Lively’s friends have rallied behind her. A Simple Favor director Paul Feig and her The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn, have shown public support.
In her federal complaint, filed in New York, Lively accused Wayfarer Studios and others of complicity in the alleged harassment and smear campaign. Her legal team remains firm, stating, “Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims advanced in Ms. Lively’s California Civil Rights Department Complaint. While we will not litigate this matter in the press, we do encourage people to read Ms. Lively’s complaint in its entirety. We look forward to addressing each and every one of Wayfarer’s allegations in court.”
Freedman’s Defense
Freedman has dismissed Lively’s accusations as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” He alleges that Lively’s complaint is nothing more than an attempt to “fix her negative reputation.” He emphasized, “We want the truth to come out. This is a deliberate pursuit of truth, not just for Justin but for everyone involved.”
What happens next?
The legal drama continues to unfold. With lawsuits flying in multiple directions, the case is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle in court and the court of public opinion. Baldoni’s team is gearing up to reveal a treasure trove of text messages and documents, while Lively’s team remains resolute in pursuing justice.
Both sides are digging in for a long fight. As this Hollywood clash plays out, the world watches closely. Will Baldoni’s countersuit succeed in dismantling Lively’s claims? Or will her accusations bring down one of Hollywood’s rising stars? Stay tuned.
