Blake Lively filed a civil rights complaint against her It and With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, over the weekend, marking the beginning of a reversal of fortunes for the rival pair. The 37-year-old Hollywood diva has accused the Jane the Virgin star of sexual harassment during filming. Additionally, his legal filings allege that Baldoni’s troubled firm, The Agency Group (TAG PR), resorted to controversial PR tactics, known as astroturfing, to conduct a retaliatory smear campaign to tarnish his reputation. Is known.
The alleged coordinated social media effort to portray Lively as a “difficult” and “controlling” on-screen presence has not caught the public’s attention, as Internet commentary has criticized the actress for various reasons during the film’s promotion. Had taken up arms against. The “tone deaf” accusations against Blake took center stage in a particularly fiery outcry against the Gossip Girl star. Her questionable comments in old interviews and memories of her and Ryan Reynolds’ highly controversial plantation wedding resurfaced, igniting a critical firestorm against her.
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Even though there were some solid explanations for the criticism Lively faced, it has completely turned the months-old debate on its head, as despite the internet initially being on her side, the winds of change are now blowing against Baldoni more than ever. Taking aim.
Justin Baldoni’s career has already suffered a blow after Blake Lively’s first filing
Lively is receiving support from the film industry, while Baldoni is facing anger as a result of disturbing allegations made against him. Although Lively’s complaint is not yet a full-blown lawsuit as such filings typically are before that, Justin has already faced incendiary fallout as she received her Voice of Solidarity Award from Vital Voices, “Women. Has a title of being “Associate of”. has been canceled
Despite the actor’s attorney Brian Friedman hitting back at the allegations, he has been dropped by talent agency WME, which also represents the Simple Favor actress and her husband Ryan Reynolds. Additionally, Baldoni’s podcast co-hosts and nonprofits have also shunned him. As things continue to get worse for the man who was once portrayed as a feminist ally off-camera, Justin’s former PR company founder Stephanie Jones has filed her first formal lawsuit against him. Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel have also been dragged into the fallout of Lively’s allegations as Jones is coming after them for defamation, breach of contract and more.
Legal expert says Blake Lively could walk away with $10 million
The Gossip Girl celeb’s previous legal move has already set off a chain reaction. An expert recently weighed in on Baldoni’s scandal spiraling out of control and revealed that things are only going to get worse for the 40-year-old actor from here.
Attorney Cameron Dowlatshahi, partner at MSD Lawyers, also strongly feels that Lively could end up walking away with millions of dollars as Baldoni continues to suffer setbacks in his career. “It’s absolutely about reputation. She and her husband have all the money in the world,” the legal expert shared with The US Sun. Noting how this is not a “money issue” for Lively, the lawyer said that “she needed to change the story, and she’s already done that.”
Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Case Deja Vu
He believes the positive impact on his reputation will continue. Drawing parallels with the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard case, he explained that since “there were a lot of emotions, and there’s money on both sides… they’re really prepared to prosecute this to the fullest.” The same can be expected from the Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni legal war. “In terms of settlement, I mean, obviously you’re looking at potentially seven figures to eight figures.”
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While also predicting how this was “just the beginning,” the lawyer predicted “there are still more text messages to come,” especially since Lively’s initial filing was allegedly linked to an exchange between Baldoni’s publicist and a crisis management expert. -Was supported by text chains provided.
Highlighting Lively’s legal team’s “skilled advocacy” in that part, Dowlatshahi said, “Blake Lively’s attorneys used a very targeted method of subpoenaing records through a type of not commonly used statute. “Come up with a strategy as to how they probably did it.”
Serious prospects for Justin Baldoni’s career revival
The serious consequences of the actress’ complaint have already affected Baldoni’s career. On how quickly WME removed her, the expert said, “They did it because obviously Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are huge clients and they have to take care of their big clients, but the allegations are very serious and the evidence is strong. Are.”
As for Justin Baldoni needing to “essentially revive his career,” which “looks like it’s dead,” the Jane the Virgin vet needs to come up with a strong, targeted campaign. ..with the legal defense to back it up. ,
In addition to It End’s With Us author Colleen Hoover coming out in support of Lively, even the film’s distributor, Sony, voiced strong support for her direction. “We have already expressed our support for Blake in relation to his work on the film. “We reiterate that support today completely and strongly,” a Sony Pictures Entertainment spokesperson told Variety. “Furthermore, we strongly condemn any reputational attack on him. Any such attacks have no place in our business or civil society.
