Blake Lively has blasted The Hollywood Reporter for its “sexist” and “extremely offensive” coverage of her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.
The publication released a controversial cover that depicted the actress, 37, slinging a cellphone at Baldoni, 41,who clutched a copy of their film’s book, It Ends With Us, amid Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit.
Lively’s spokesperson criticised the “sexist” cover and accused the accompanying article of “explaining away examples of sexual harassment as ‘cultural misunderstandings’”.
“The Hollywood Reporter should be ashamed of itself,” the representative told DailyMail.com.
“The framing in this picture is outrageously insulting as it plays into every sexist trope about women who dare file a workplace complaint, turning them into the aggressor, and suggesting they deserve the retaliation that comes their way.
“In addition, the story is extremely offensive as it incredibly seems to explain away documented examples of sexual harassment and retaliation by calling them ‘cultural misunderstandings.’”
The Standard has contacted representatives for Lively, Baldoni, and The Hollywood Reporter for comment.
The cover was a reference to the story of David and Goliath in the Bible, in which a small shepherd boy defies the odds by taking down a giant.
In the artwork, Lively was depicted as David, using a slingshot to try to take down Baldoni, who would be seen running ahead of her.
In the background of the full landscape version of the cover, Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds, could be seen dressed as the Deadpool character, Nicepool.
Baldoni has previously claimed Reynolds created Nicepool to “bully” him.
On Baldoni’s right, his lawyer Bryan Freedman, stood with his hands on his hips.
Critics called out The Hollywood Reporter online, accusing the outlet of “trivialising” the sexual harassment case with their “disgusting” cover.
“Framing a serious case of sexual harassment as a dramatic hollywood ‘battle’ is incredibly irresponsible. And for what? Clicks? Such poor taste,” one wrote on X. “This isn’t entertainment - it’s about accountability and justice. Do better.”
“Isn’t the case about sexual harassment? No matter who people choose to believe, this post is f***ing gross,” another added.
“Incredibly inappropriate. You have a responsibility as a publication, but time and time again yours has trivialized sexual harassment and assault, among other horrible things,” a third posted.
“This is genuinely so disgusting and on top of it, the fact that it’s AI… truly disturbing and a shameful mockery,” someone else raged.
Lively sued Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us last year, claiming he would ask probing questions about her sex life, would invite his friends into nude scenes with Lively, and would make jokes about Lively’s dead father.
Shortly after Lively filed her lawsuit, The New York Times published an article based on Lively’s claims alleging that Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign against her and amplifying the harassment allegations.
In response, Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times and launched a lawsuit against Lively and her husband Reynolds, accusing them of leveraging their celebrity status to take control of his film and damage his career.
Since then, there has been no end to the twists and turns of the legal case, including Baldoni launching his own website to tell his side of events.
