Blake Lively, the star of the romantic drama “It Ends With Us,” has accused her co-star and director Justin Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign against her. The controversy surrounding the film is just starting to heat up, with Lively’s lawyers claiming that Baldoni hired a team of PR experts to attack her online.
The film, which tells the story of domestic abuse and its devastating effects, was expected to be a hit given its all-star cast and high-profile director. However, the media tour was marred by a rift between Lively and Baldoni, who avoided each other in public and seemed distant from their co-stars.
According to Lively’s complaint, Baldoni engaged in predatory behavior, including ignoring sexual consent, and hired a team of PR experts to counter her allegations and shift the narrative in his favor. The claim includes allegations that Baldoni’s team used “astroturfing,” or fake social media comments, to sway public opinion against Lively.
Baldoni has long been hailed as one of Hollywood’s most vocal advocates for women’s rights and domestic violence prevention. However, Lively’s accusations raise serious questions about his integrity and commitment to these causes.
Lively’s lawyers claim that she and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, had already unfollowed Baldoni on social media nearly a year before the feud began. They also allege that Baldoni’s team attempted to plant negative stories in various tabloids and online outlets, including Daily Mail and Page Six.
The situation is ongoing, with Lively’s lawsuit filed with the California Civil Rights Department as the first step towards a larger lawsuit. As more information becomes available, it remains to be seen how this controversy will play out in the entertainment industry.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/12/21/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-smear-campaign/77132875007