More celebrities, friends, relatives and even organisations who have worked with Blake Lively have vocalised their support for the actor amid her legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
On Sunday (local time) Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni in which she accused him of sexual harassment, along with allegations that he used a PR crisis expert to help orchestrate a smear campaign to damage her reputation. While Baldoni’s team has made a statement denying all allegations, multiple celebrities and organisations have spoken out in support of Lively on social media.
Here’s a full run-down on who has thrown their support behind Lively amidst the legal allegations and why.
Celebrities who have publicly supported Blake Lively
Amber Heard
Actress Amber Heard is one of the latest celebs to put her two cents in — and boy, she has more experience with a savage PR downfall than most. Heard, whose ex-husband Johnny Depp worked with the same crisis PR manager during their infamous trial, released the following statement to NBC News.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” the actress wrote.
“I saw this firsthand and up close,” Heard continued. “It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Bart Johnson
Bart Johnson is married to Lively’s sister Robyn. You might remember him as Coach Bolton in the High School Musical franchise.
He left the following statement on Instagram: “Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him [Baldoni] for a reason.
“His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is without [sic] faults. But the public got played,” he concluded in the comments section of an Instagram post about the news from The New York Times.
A few days later, Johnson took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam Baldoni.
“He’s a fraud,” he wrote.
“He puts on the ‘costume’ of a hero, man bun and all. Used all of the trendy catchphrases & buzz words for his podcasts. None of it’s genuine. It’s all theatre. And everyone fell for it. For years. Rewatch his videos with a more critical eye and watch him compliment and praise himself with faux humility and self-deprecation. What a performance.”
Oooft.
Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate, who plays the sister of Baldoni’s character in It Ends With Us, made a statement to TODAY about Lively’s legal complaint.
“As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation,” she said.
“Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.
“What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening. I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”
Brandon Sklenar
Brandon Sklenar, who plays Atlas in the film, simply urged his fans to read the initial report by The New York Times via his Instagram Story.
“For the love of god read this,” he wrote, linking the piece and tagging Lively.
Colleen Hoover
It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover was one of the first to throw her support behind Lively.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Hoover praised Lively by sharing a photo of the pair hugging on set.
“You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” wrote the best-selling author.
“Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
The IG Story also included a link to The New York Times article which first broke the allegations against Baldoni.
America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel & Amber Tamblyn
Lively’s former Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel and Amber Tamblyn also took to Instagram with a joint statement in support of the 37-year-old’s character.
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” they wrote, noting the lengths Lively went to request a safe workplace on set.
“We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment. We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself an others.”
Ferrera, Tamblyn and Bledel concluded their joint statement by urging people to read the initial reports by The New York Times. You can read their statement in its entirety below.
Paul Feig
Film director Paul Feig took to X to stand up for Lively after working with her on A Simple Favor and its upcoming sequel.
“She’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with,” he wrote.
“She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer also took to her Instagram Stories by sharing a screenshot of her Notes app which read: “I believe Blake”.
She kept is short and sweet, making it clear where her support lies.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Fans suspect Gwyneth Paltrow is also siding with Lively after she shared a Story promoting Lively’s new haircare line on the same day Lively’s legal complaint was filed.
“Just added to my Christmas wish list,” she wrote alongside a crown emoji.
SAG-AFTRA
The actors union SAG-AFTRA praised Lively for her bravery in a statement.
“These are startling and troubling allegations,” the statement begins.
“Employees have every right to raise issues of concern or to file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behaviour is illegal and wrong.
“We applaud Blake Lively’s courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content.
“This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set.”
Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures, the company behind the distribution of It Ends With Us has issued a statement condemning Baldoni.
“We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film,” a spokesperson told TheWrap.
“We fully and firmly reiterate that support today. Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.”
What does Baldoni have to say?
Following Lively’s legal filing, Baldoni’s team issued a statement in which he vehemently denied the Gossip Girl star’s claims.
“These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media,” Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman said.
Despite denying the allegations, Baldoni has reportedly been dropped by his talent agency WME following Lively’s complaint.
The post All The Celebs And Organisations Supporting Blake Lively Amidst Justin Baldoni Legal Battle appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
