In the days since Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni alleging that he sexually harassed her on set and orchestrated a smear campaign against her, figures across Hollywood have vocalized their support for the actress.
“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,” said Jenny Slate, who appeared in the film alongside Lively and Baldoni, for Today. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
Fans and drama spectators alike pointed out during the film's messy promotional cycle that Slate, actor Brandon Sklenar, and author Colleen Hoover unfollowed Baldoni on social media before the film's premiere. At the time, the film received backlash for promotional strategies that were considered tone-deaf, given the domestic violence plot line in the film. Baldoni directed the film in addition to starring in a leading role, but the brunt of the criticism was aimed at Lively. Her lawsuit alleges that Baldoni's crisis management and publicity teams played a role in that through social media campaigns.
Sklenar, another It Ends With Us co-star, shared his support for Lively on Instagram. In a story post, the actor shared the legal complaint filed by the actress on Dec. 21. “For the love of God read this,” he wrote, linking out to a New York Times report containing the complete document.
Lively also received the backing of Hoover, who wrote the novel It Ends With Us was adapted from. “@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Hoover wrote on an Instagram Story. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never will.”
Those who have a longer history with Lively shared similar feelings. Shortly after the legal filing was made public, the actress' former Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars shared a collective statement expressing their support. America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel wrote: “Throughout the filming of It Ends With Uswe saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are challenged to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.”
The trio, who have known Lively for more than 20 years, continued: “We stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.”
Amber Heard and Lively have never crossed paths on any Hollywood sets, but they do share an unfortunate commonality in having been the target of widespread hate on social media — orchestrated, allegedly, by the same crisis manager. Melissa Nathan, the crisis management expert Baldoni hired, also worked with Johnny Depp during his defamation trial against Heard. “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying 'A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,'” Heard wrote in a statement to NBC News. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It's as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Figures from all corners of Hollywood have also extended their support to Lively. Paul Feig, who directed Lively in 2018's A Simple Favor and its forthcoming sequel, shared: “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.”
Through a spokesperson, Sony Studios — which distributed It Ends With Us — shared: “We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today. Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.”
The statement followed a release from the actors' union SAG-AFTRA: “These are startling and troubling allegations. Employees have every right to raise issues of concern or to file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong. We applaud Blake Lively's courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content. This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set.”
