Blake Lively’s claims that “It Ends with Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni launched a smear campaign against her are the latest in a new lawsuit filed against him by Baldoni’s former publicist. Supported by litigation.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in New York state court in Manhattan by Stephanie Jones, who began representing Baldoni in 2017. According to the law, Baldoni and his film production company Wayfarer agreed to expand their contract in 2020 and pay a monthly fee of $25,000.
The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Baldoni, 40, and Ms. Wayfarer were accused by publicists of having misogynistic and harmful behavior on set for the romantic drama in August of last year, when the film was released. The lawsuit alleges that he worked with others to “bury” and “destroy” Ms. Lively. Anything made could damage his reputation and career.
Mr. Jones sought unspecified damages from defendants, including former employee Jennifer Abel, who he claims ran a campaign to harm Mr. Lively and tarnish Mr. Jones’ reputation.
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The complaint alleges that Abel “stole more than 70 confidential business documents and additional client information” from Jones Works on August 21, as Abel was preparing to leave to start his own advertising company. Jones claims that he found out about this and was fired. Baldoni and Wayfarer are clients.
The complaint also alleges that Abel collaborated with crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, who previously represented actor Johnny Depp, in an effort to influence and control media content that was damaging to Lively and Jones. are.
The complaint states that many of the text messages included in the lawsuit were extracted from a company phone that Abel returned to Jones Works when he was fired.
FILE – Blake Lively (L) and Ryan Reynolds attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala on Monday, May 2, 2022 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
In response to a request for comment Wednesday, Abel sent Jones an email containing a screenshot of a text message he had with Jones on July 26, two weeks after he announced his plans to retire during a Zoom call. sent in addition to the email. August 23rd.
In an email she wrote: “I know this path won’t be easy, but I hope I can keep you in my life as a mentor, friend, and confidant, because I truly consider you family.” I want to assure you that there is not a single drop of malice here, unlike those who have burned you in the past.”
She added, “I’ve gracefully left a company before with my relationships intact, and that’s what I totally plan on and want.”
Nathan did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Last week, Lively filed a complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights, which often precedes the filing of a lawsuit, alleging that Lively, 37, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, were accused of “repeated sexual harassment.” The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Baldoni tried to damage her reputation after she made a reference to him. Baldoni and the film’s producers.
Brian Friedman, an attorney representing Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and their representatives, said the allegations in Lively’s filing are “completely false, outrageous and intentionally despicable.”
He disputed Lively’s claims of an organized campaign, saying the studio “actively” hired a crisis manager “due to Mr. Lively’s repeated demands and threats during production.”
A message sent to Friedman on Wednesday seeking comment on the lawsuit filed by Jones was not immediately returned.
It Ends with Us, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 best-selling novel, was released in August and exceeded box office expectations of $50 million on its debut, ultimately grossing $350 million. It recorded sales approaching .
Baldoni starred in the telenovela “Jane the Virgin,” directed “Five Feet Apart,” and wrote “Man Enough,” a book that resists traditional notions of masculinity.
