Justin Baldoni is reportedly planning to sue Blake Lively after she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit.
The pair co-star in the film, based on Colleen Hoover’s book of the same name, which was released in August. Despite the film’s success at the box office, behind-the-scenes details have become the focus of discussion.
It Ends With Us star Lively, 37, began legal action against the director earlier this month.
Lively alleged that Baldoni behaved inappropriately on set. Her allegations in an 80-page legal document accuse Baldoni of “repeated sexual harassment and other harassing behavior.”
Lively’s complaint alleges that during filming, the atmosphere on set became so uncomfortable that an all-staff meeting was called to try to resolve the issues that had created a hostile group.
The studio behind the romantic drama was also accused of embarking on a “multi-level plan” to damage Lively’s reputation.
In the damages complaint, which precedes the lawsuit, Baldoni, his publicists and Wayfarer Studios, which produced the film, are listed as defendants. Baldoni and his team denied the allegations.
the Daily Mail Baldoni, his business partner/Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath, and the advertisers named in Lively’s complaint are now reportedly preparing a countersuit.
Attorney Friedman will reportedly file the papers when the courts reopen on January 2. The post claims the file will claim that; Lively’s Vision PR team was responsible for defamation against Baldoni and planted stories, messages from Baldoni’s team were presented out of context, and that the legal step Lively took was to rebuild her public image.
Following the Daily Mail report, Lesley Sloan, Vision’s public relations director, said: Delivery time: “I was contacted by Sarah Nathan (Melissa Nathan’s sister) on 11/8 with an anonymous tip received by Page Six, regarding allegations of HR complaints on the set of It Ends with Us.”
“Subsequently, various media outlets contacted me to ask about allegations of HR complaints. When contacted, I responded to press questions by referring them to Wayfarer or Sony for information regarding HR complaints.
“Apparently, Mr. Baldoni and his partners at Wayfarer are suggesting that I fabricated newspaper stories about HR complaints on set, which is not true. Please read Ms. Lively’s complaint and the complaint filed by Jonesworks LLC and Stephanie Jones, which provides details of the campaign against my client.”
Friedman did not comment on whether the counterclaim’s allegations are true. However, he also submitted a statement for publication.
“I won’t talk about when or how many lawsuits we file, but when we file the first lawsuit, it will shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a patently false narrative,” the letter began.
“It will be backed by real evidence and tell the real story.” In over 30 years of practice, I have never seen this level of unethical behavior intentionally fueled by media manipulation. It reminds me of what NBC tried to do to Megyn Kelly and Gabrielle Union and we all know how that turned out. comment.’
Reportedly, unearthed texts from Baldoni’s publicist to the studio,
Columbia Pictures publicist Wayfarer Studios, claiming that he “wanted to feel it.” [Ms. Lively] “It could be buried” and was obtained through a subpoena as part of the case.
One exchange between PR executives said to be involved in the campaign depicts them happily discussing how “easy” it is to turn people online against Lively.
Following backlash from Baldoni’s team, Melissa Nathan – who worked with Johnny Depp during Amber Heard’s trial – allegedly said: “We can’t write and we will destroy it.”
While promoting the film earlier this year, Lively was the center of significant backlash as people complained about her seemingly light-hearted approach to promoting a film that included heavy themes like domestic violence.
However, the discussion quickly shifted from promoting the film to uncovering old interviews with Lively or criticizing her style, personality, and life in general.
In a statement through her attorney at the time of filing the suit, Lively said, “I hope my legal action will help pull back the curtain on these vicious retaliation tactics to harm people who speak out about misconduct and help protect others who may be targeted.”
Baldoni’s attorney, Brian Friedman, said in a statement provided to: Just Jared: “TAG PR acts like any other crisis management firm when it is hired by a client facing threats from two very powerful people with unlimited resources.
“The standard scenario planning drafted by TAG PR proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively’s actions, interviews, and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to what the media itself picked up on.”
“It is ironic that The New York Times, in its efforts to ‘unmask’ a malicious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively’s dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lacked critical context — the same tactics of which it accuses the company. “Implementation.”
He also added: “These allegations are completely false, outrageous and intentionally offensive with the intent to publicly hurt and reshape the narrative in the media.”
Metro has contacted representatives for Lively and Baldoni for comment.
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