Author Colleen Hoover Backs Blake Lively
Colleen Hoover, the bestselling author of “It Ends With Us,” has publicly thrown her support behind actress Blake Lively following Lively’s lawsuit against her co-star, Justin Baldoni. In an Instagram post, Hoover praised Lively for being “nothing but honest, kind, supportive, and patient” since their first meeting. She encouraged Lively to “never change” and alluded to Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, who is a florist, stating “Never wilt.”
The Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and a deliberate effort to damage her reputation during the production of the movie adaptation of Hoover’s novel. Lively’s complaint describes a meeting where she addressed a “hostile work environment” that threatened the film’s production. Lively outlined several inappropriate behaviors, including Baldoni discussing her weight, probing her religious beliefs, and sharing details about his personal life.
The lawsuit accuses Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath of creating a toxic environment, including showing Lively a video of Heath’s wife during childbirth without her consent. Furthermore, Lively claims that they invaded her personal space by entering her makeup trailer without permission, even when she was breastfeeding.
Backlash and Public Perception
During the film’s promotional tour, Lively faced criticism for her lighthearted approach, while Baldoni received accolades for addressing serious themes from the film. The lawsuit alleges that Baldoni’s team undertook a smear campaign against Lively, damaging her public image. Lively claims that despite addressing her concerns, Baldoni attempted to manipulate social media narratives against her.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Responds
In response, Baldoni’s lawyer has vehemently denied Lively’s claims, labeling them “categorically false” and “shameful.” He accused Lively of fabricating accusations to rehabilitate her public image, which had suffered during the film’s promotional activities. According to Baldoni’s legal representatives, the accusations are an “intentional attempt” to distract from Lively’s own actions and remarks during the press tour for “It Ends With Us.”
Allegations of Retaliation and Manipulation
The complaint reveals that Lively’s legal action is not only about personal grievances but also aimed at uncovering retaliatory tactics against individuals who report misconduct. Lively alleges that Baldoni’s team engaged in a sophisticated campaign to undermine her credibility, using social media strategies to manipulate public perception. The legal filings suggest that Baldoni’s team maintained communications detailing plans to counter any negative portrayals of their conduct.
Industry and Public Reactions
The filmmaking landscape has been scrutinized following such allegations of misconduct. Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, was reportedly involved in discussions about Lively’s grievances, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. As rumors of discord between the two actors circulated during the film’s promotion, industry insiders have noted that collaboration between Lively and Baldoni may be unlikely in the future, despite the box office success of “It Ends With Us.”
Conclusion
Colleen Hoover’s public endorsement of Lively amidst these serious allegations illustrates a growing solidarity within the entertainment industry regarding the importance of addressing and confronting misconduct. The outcomes of the legal proceedings will further reflect how power dynamics are navigated within Hollywood as these conversations about accountability continue to evolve.
