Hollywood stars support Blake Lively over legal complaint

In a recent turn of events in Hollywood, several well-known actresses have come forward to support Blake Lively after she filed a legal complaint against her co-star Justin Baldoni. Blake Lively, who is recognized for her long blonde hair and vibrant personality, has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and attempting to damage her reputation while they worked together on the film It Ends With Us. The complaint was filed over the weekend, and Baldoni's legal team has responded by categorically denying the allegations, stating that they are completely false. In a show of solidarity, actresses America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, who starred alongside Lively in the beloved 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, issued a joint statement expressing their unwavering support for their friend. They stated, '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. ' The actresses expressed their dismay at the treatment Blake faced while filming, emphasizing the importance of a safe working environment for all actors and crew members. They highlighted the disturbing reality that even a strong and celebrated actress like Blake can face retaliation for simply asking for safety on set. They were particularly upset by the exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who sought to protect herself. The statement concluded with a powerful message of inspiration, stating, 'We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others. ' Blake Lively's legal team has indicated that the complaint follows a meeting earlier this year, where they attempted to address what they described as 'repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior' by Baldoni, who is not only her co-star but also a producer on the film. The actresses' statement further emphasized their support for Blake, noting that they witnessed her bravery in advocating for a safe workplace during the filming of It Ends With Us. They expressed their outrage at the premeditated efforts to discredit her voice and the hypocrisy of using the stories of domestic violence survivors to silence her. In addition to the support from her friends, Colleen Hoover, the author of the novel It Ends With Us, also voiced her backing for Blake on social media. Hoover described Blake as 'honest, kind, supportive, and patient,' thanking her for being the person she is and encouraging her to remain true to herself. The meeting between Blake and Justin Baldoni, along with other key individuals involved in the film's production, took place on January 4, 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to address the hostile work environment that had developed on set. Baldoni attended the meeting in his role as co-chairman and co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, the company producing the film, and also served as the film's director. In the legal complaint, Blake's lawyers allege that both Baldoni and Jamey Heath, the CEO of Wayfarer Studios, engaged in inappropriate and unwelcome behavior towards Blake and other cast members. The complaint outlines a list of 30 demands made during the meeting to ensure a safer working environment. Among these demands, Blake requested that there be no further mention of Baldoni and Heath's past issues with pornography, no inappropriate comments regarding their bodies, and that any intimate scenes involving her be strictly limited to what she had previously approved. Additionally, Blake demanded that Baldoni cease making claims about being able to communicate with her deceased father. The legal team for Blake Lively further accuses Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios of orchestrating a 'multi-tiered plan' to undermine her reputation, alleging that this was part of a coordinated effort to silence her and others who spoke out about the toxic environment created by Baldoni and Heath. In response to the legal complaint, Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, expressed his disapproval, stating that it is shameful for Blake and her representatives to make such serious accusations. He claimed that Blake had made numerous demands and threats, including threatening to not show up to set or promote the film, which could jeopardize its success. He characterized her claims as intentionally sensationalized and aimed at damaging Baldoni's reputation. In a statement through her attorneys, Blake Lively expressed her hope that her legal action would shed light on the retaliatory tactics used against those who speak out about misconduct and help protect others who may be targeted. She firmly denied any involvement in spreading negative information about Baldoni or Wayfarer Studios. Despite the controversy surrounding the film, It Ends With Us has been a box-office success, although some critics have raised concerns about its portrayal of domestic violence.