On Saturday, the New York Times reported Blake Lively’s claims that Justin Baldoni waged a smear campaign against her after she alleged he sexually harassed her on the set of It Ends With Us. The bombshell report includes a litany of disturbing details from Lively’s complaint, which she filed with the California Civil Rights Department on Friday. Lively claims that Baldoni — who directed, produced, and co-starred in the film — improvised unwanted kissing, forcefully entered her makeup trailer while she was undressed and breastfeeding, and repeatedly tried to get Lively to lose weight after giving birth. A lawyer for Baldoni has denied the allegations, calling them “completely false.”
Following the report, Lively’s longtime friends, family, and celebrity collaborators quickly jumped to her defense. Here’s how everyone from Amber Heard to Colleen Hoover are expressing their support.
America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel
Lively’s former Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants castmates posted a joint statement “in support of our sister, Blake,” on Sunday. “We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment,” the women wrote.
Tamblyn also shared the post to her Instagram Story, writing: “I was a confidant for my sister Blake while she went through some of this experience. I remember how incredibly painful it was for her. I’m glad all of this has come to light with solid reporting and receipts. I ask you to please read the full article and specifically, the legal complaint.”
Colleen Hoover
It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, who was also a producer on the film, shared a photo of her and Lively hugging and a link to the Times article to her story. “@BlakeLively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” she wrote. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Hoover also shared the Sisterhood actress’s statement to her Instagram feed. “This statement from these women and Blake’s ability to refuse to sit down and ‘be buried’ has been nothing short of inspiring,” she wrote. “Seeing these three women stand up for their friend when they know good and well they’re going to be ripped apart by the people who choose to not accept or read receipts is inspiring. I am done being afraid to post in fear of the comment section hurting my reputation.”
Amber Heard
In her complaint, Lively names crisis-management expert Melissa Nathan as a defendant, claiming Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer studios retained Nathan’s services to tarnish Lively’s public image. Nathan notably worked with Johnny Depp during his successful 2022 defamation trial against Amber Heard, after Heard accused the actor of physical abuse.
Heard shared a statement with NBC News, writing: “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’ I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
The Goop founder showed her support for Lively by sharing the actress’s Blake Brown hair-care brand to her Instagram Story, according to Us Weekly. “Just added to my Christmas wish list,” she wrote on Friday, after the complaint had been made public.
Amy Schumer
Per Us Weekly, the comedian posted on her Instagram Story in support of Lively. “I believe Blake,” she wrote on Sunday. According to Deadline, Schumer was previously critical of Lively on her Inside Amy Schumer sketch show and once said of the actress, “We’re not close friends.”
Paul Feig
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. https://t.co/K3vcWN3VfN
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) December 23, 2024
The director, who worked with Lively on A Simple Favor and the upcoming A Simple Favor 2, linked to the actress’s complaint, writing, “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her.”
Robyn Lively
Lively’s older sister Robyn, an actress who had a small role in It Ends With Us, urged the public to read the full Times article.
“We live in an age where we have access to people’s personal lives like never before — especially actors. It makes us feel like we know them,” she wrote on Instagram. “But I do know my sister. She is one of the kindest, most honest and loving humans I know. Blake isn’t a villain. She’s a mama bear to her core, a loving and supportive wife, a sister, a friend, and someone who worked her ass off on a film in abominable working conditions.”
“You can certainly disagree with the marketing campaign if you want. Mistakes were made, but she isn’t the creative behind these decisions and shouldn’t shoulder the sole responsibility for them,” Robyn continued. “The ‘truth’ in the tabloids is hardly ever what you think. But honesty prevails. Today is a good day.”
Related
