Blake Lively’s legal team is shutting down claims from Justin Baldoni.
Amid the It Ends With Us director’s $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for libel over an article detailing an alleged smear campaign against the Gossip Girl alum following sexual harassment allegations, her legal team has pushed back on what they deem “more attacks” from Baldoni.
“This is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences’ or a ‘he said/she said’ situation,” Lively’s lawyers said in a statement to E! News Jan. 6, noting that allegations made in Lively’s initial complaint were “serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.”
Lively’s legal team emphasized that Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, “engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set,” as detailed in her initial complaint against Wayfarer Studios filed with the California Civil Rights Department.
Their statement continued, alleging that Baldoni and his associates’ lawsuit against The New York Times “has been to launch more attacks against Ms. Lively since her filing.”
In addition to the lawsuit filed on behalf of Baldoni, as well as his Wayfarer Studios colleague Jamey Heath, crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan, and seven other plaintiffs, the Jane the Virgin alum’s lawyer Bryan Freedman told NBC News that Baldoni “absolutely” plans to sue Lively.
As Baldoni’s lawsuit with the Times, obtained by E! News, reiterated, “This lawsuit seeks to hold the Times accountable for its role in this defamation campaign, but Plaintiffs are not done. There are other bad actors involved, and make no mistake—this will not be the last lawsuit.”
Meanwhile, Lively’s legal team maintains their allegations of Baldoni’s misconduct as outlined in her initial civil rights complaint.
“Sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry,” Lively’s legal team said in their statement. “A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’ by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied.”
The statement continued, “Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct.”
And while Lively’s team has spoken out to support her, they emphasized that, “media statements are not a defense to Ms. Lively’s legal claims.”
“We will continue to prosecute her claims in federal court,” the statement concluded, “where the rule of law determines who prevails, not hyperbole and threats.”
However, Baldoni’s team reiterated the actor’s own stance that the Times story was an embrace of “partial truths.”
“It is painfully ironic that Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of weaponizing the media when her own team orchestrated this vicious attack by sending the Times grossly edited documents prior to even filing the complaint,” Freedman said in a statement to E! News. “We are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie.”
He continued, “We have all the receipts and more.”
Following Lively’s initial California Civil Rights Department complaint coming to light last month, many stars—including those who worked on It Ends With Us—came forward expressing their support. Keep reading for every message.
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.