Amber Heard empathizes with Blake Lively.
After the Gossip Girl alum filed a legal complaint against her It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni—which includes allegations that he engaged in a campaign to ruin her reputation amid her own concerns about him on set—the Aquaman star reflected on her own experience with public vitriol amid her and Johnny Depp’s infamous defamation trial.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” Heard expressed in a statement to NBC News Dec. 23. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Indeed, Lively’s legal filing, obtained by E! News, alleges that Baldoni, as well as It Ends With Us producer Jamey Heath, hired crisis public relations expert Melissa Nathan, who also represented Depp amid his trial against Heard, and has counted Drake and Travis Scott as past clients—to combat Lively’s on-set sexual harassment allegations. (Attorneys for Heath and Baldoni deny the allegations made in Lively’s filing).
In response to Heard's statement to NBC News, Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Baldoni, shared a note to E! News.
"The only correlation between both individuals,” Freedman said in part of the statement, “was that for decades every move they have made has been out there for everyone to see, widely filmed and documented for the public to make up their own minds—which they did, organically."
Lively's complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department and obtained by E! News, includes alleged text messages from Nathan to a publicist for Baldoni in which she says, “You know we can bury anyone,” in relation to Lively’s reputation.
Heard—who has since relocated to Spain—was sued by Depp for defamation in 2019 after she had written an op-ed piece alleging she was the victim of domestic violence the prior year. In a 2022 verdict, the jury found Heard liable for defamation—which she later appealed. However, the 38-year-old ended up settling the case later that same year, calling it “a very difficult decision,” and cited the vilification she experienced online amid the trial.
"It is important for me to say I never chose this," Heard wrote in an Instagram post after announcing her plans to settle with her ex-husband. “I defended my truth and in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed.”
Heard emphasized that her settling was not an act of concession, adding, “I make this decision having lost faith in the American legal system, where my unprotected testimony served as entertainment and social media fodder.”
For Lively’s part, she noted her pursuit of legal action against the Wayfarer Studios executives was intended to uplift others facing her same predicament.
“I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct,” she wrote in a statement, “and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
Keep reading for stars who have spoken out in support of Lively amid her filing.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Colleen Hoover
After Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the film's set and for later taking part in a smear campaign against her—claims that he has since denied via his lawyer—Colleen Hoover, who wrote the book that the movie is based on, shared a message to the actress.
"@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met," Colleen wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 21. "Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."
Robyn Lively
Blake's sister, fellow actress Robyn Lively, also weighed in.
"I urge everyone to read The NY Times article in its entirety," Robyn wrote on Instagram Dec. 23, referencing the NYT piece that details Blake's complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. "It calls out those behind the ruthless and nefarious smear campaign that aimed to take down my sister."
The Teen Witch star went on to note that it also "highlights" what Blake allegedly experienced on the set of It Ends With Us.
Paul Feig
Blake's A Simple Favor director also came to her defense, writing on X Dec. 22, "I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this."
Amy Schumer
The comedian showed her support for the Gossip Girl alum, writing on her Instagram Story Dec. 22, "I believe Blake."
Gwyneth Paltrow
Shortly after Blake's complaint was made public, the Goop founder shared a photo of The Town star's hair company, Blake Brown, on her Instagram Story, writing, "Just added to my Christmas wish list."
Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn & America Ferrera
Blake's BFFs and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars penned a joint message, posted to Instagram Dec. 22, stating they "stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation."
Bart Johnson
Bart Johnson shared an impassioned defense of his sister-in-law in the comments section of a New York Times Instagram post detailing the filing and its own investigation into the behind-the-scenes turmoil.
“Her complained were filed during the filming,” the High School Musical alum, who is married to Blake's sister Robyn, wrote. “On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spitting ignorance. 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 with out faults. But the public got played."
He later added on X of Baldoni, "He’s a fraud. 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 theater. 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."
Shawn Levy
Ryan Reynolds' frequent collaborator Shawn Levy shared the New York Times investigation into the smear campaign on his Instagram Stories, writing, "Proud to call @blakelively a friend."
Amber Heard
Days after Lively's filing was made public, Amber Heard reflected on her own experience facing relentless vitriol online amid ex Johnny Depp's defamation trial against her.
“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 Aquaman star expressed in a statement to NBC News Dec. 23. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Brandon Sklenar
Brandon Sklenar, who played Blake's love interest Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, had a simple, pointed message of support.
Sharing a screenshot of the Gossip Girl alum's full complaint against Baldoni on his Instagram Stories Dec. 23, he wrote over a link to the text, "For the love of God read this." He followed up by tagging her with a heart emoji.
Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni's sister and Blake's BFF in the film, shared her thoughts on the "disturbing" allegations.
“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,” Slate said in a Dec. 23 statement to Today. “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," the Parks and Recreation alum continued. "I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”
Michele Morrone
The actor, who stars alongside Lively in the upcoming sequel to A Simple Favor, sent his love to her on Instagram Story Dec. 23, adding that he felt her "pain" as they filmed together earlier this year.