Actress Blake Lively’s legal complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni alleges that his PR team intentionally planted negative stories about her in the press and on social media.
The complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department, includes text messages purportedly exchanged between Baldoni and his PR team.
Lively, 37, accuses Baldoni, 40, who also directed the film, of engaging in a plan to tarnish her reputation after she and her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, reported instances of sexual harassment on set.
Lively at the UK gala screening for the film on 8 August. Pic: AP
A lawyer representing Baldoni and his production company denies the allegations, calling them false and salacious.
The lawyer states that the studio did not engage in proactive or retaliatory actions and hired crisis PR managers in response to Lively’s demands during production.
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Blake Lively on being an actor and producer
The text messages, obtained through a subpoena, detail discussions between PR team members and Baldoni.
Topics include pricing for PR packages, social media strategies, and concerns about negative publicity towards Lively.
Messages span from May to August of this year, coinciding with the release of It Ends With Us.
Baldoni is also portrayed expressing worries about potential social media sabotage against Lively.
Legal documents additionally outline conditions Lively set for her return to set following the harassment allegations, including privacy and content topics.
The complaint accuses Baldoni of shifting marketing tactics and using domestic violence themes to evade negative publicity.
Baldoni at the world premiere in New York on 6 August. Pic: AP
Baldoni refutes Lively’s allegations
Baldoni’s representative asserts that Lively’s claims are unfounded and attempts to discredit his client and studio.
The statement denies proactive or retaliatory actions and clarifies the hiring of crisis PR managers in response to Lively’s behavior and threats.
Lively hopes that her legal action will shed light on harmful tactics used against whistleblowers and protect others from similar targeting.
The release of It Ends With Us was overshadowed by rumors of tension between the lead actors.
Sky News has reached out to Jessica Abel and RWA Communications for comment.