Justin Baldoni’s lawyer issues statement after private texts about Blake Lively revealed
Topics: Celebrity, Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images/ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni
Justin Baldoni's lawyers have responded to Blake Lively's lawsuit, saying that her claims are 'completely false'.
The Gossip Girl actor has filed a lawsuit against Baldoni after they took lead roles in the movie adaptation of the romance novel - It Ends With Us - earlier this year.
At the time, it had been reported that the on-set environment between the two was 'hostile'.
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Not only this, but Lively is accusing her co-star of sexual harassment and fuelling a revenge campaign to 'destroy' her reputation.
The mum-of-four is seeking damages, following a claim that Baldoni's alleged behaviour was unacceptable.
The lawsuit alleges a meeting was held during production to address Lively’s claims and demands for working on It Ends With Us, with her husband Ryan Reynolds reportedly in attendance.
Allegedly, some of these demands addressed included: “No more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni’s alleged previous ‘pornography addiction,’ no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew’s genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake’s weight, and no further mention of Blake’s dead father.”
Documents were leaked from Baldoni's crisis management team, who had devised a plan for if Lively published a 'hit piece' on the actor, following their time on set together.
The plans suggested that Baldoni's team were throwing around the idea of encouraging journalists to scrutinize Lively's past working relationships with several A-listers - including Leighton Meester, Anna Kendrick, Ben Affleck, and Taylor Swift.
Alleged text messages exchanged between publicist Jennifer Abel, who was hired by Baldoni as per the Daily Mail, as well as crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, have also been revealed as a result of a subpoena.
However, Bryan Freedman, a lawyer representing Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios, has said the allegations are 'completely false, outrage and intentionally salacious'.
As per Variety, he said the team 'did nothing proactive nor retaliated' against Lively and the PR team was hired 'due to the multiple demands and threats made by Ms Lively during production'.
However, the lawsuit, obtained by People magazine, said: "Behind closed doors she has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.
"The emotional impact on Ms. Lively has been extreme, not only affecting her, but her family, including her husband and four children."
Colleen Hoover, the author who originally wrote It Ends With Us, has also spoken out in support of Lively.
She said: "@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met.
"Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."
Following news of the lawsuit becoming public knowledge, Lively told The New York Times: "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.”
Tyla previously contacted Sony Pictures, Baldoni and Lively’s reps for comment.