A wave of support from Hollywood heavyweights has rallied around Blake Lively following her lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. The actress accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and claimed he orchestrated “a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation.” Baldoni has denied the allegations, calling them “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.”
A-List Allies
Gwyneth Paltrow and Amy Schumer were among the first to publicly back Lively. On the day the lawsuit broke, Paltrow made a subtle but pointed gesture of support on Instagram Stories. She added Lively’s Blake Brown haircare line to her holiday wish list and punctuated the post with a queen emoji, signaling her allegiance.
Amy Schumer also voiced her support, despite having humorously roasted Lively in the past on Inside Amy Schumer. “I believe Blake,” the comedian wrote in a straightforward Instagram Story, marking her stance on the unfolding controversy.
Paul Feig Speaks Out
Director Paul Feig, who worked with Lively on A Simple Favor and its sequel, expressed his admiration for her professionalism and condemned the alleged smear campaign. “All I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented, and kind people I’ve ever worked with,” Feig wrote on Twitter (now X). “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
Support From Sisterhood
Lively’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel also showed their solidarity. In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, they emphasized the actress’s courage and condemned the alleged campaign to harm her reputation. “We stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the trio wrote.
The Allegations
Lively’s lawsuit, filed with the California Civil Rights Department, alleges a hostile work environment on the set of It Ends With Us. The complaint includes ten claims detailing Baldoni’s alleged misconduct, which she says nearly derailed the film’s production.
Lively claims Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath incorporated overtly sexual content into the film, displayed pornography, and used sexually inappropriate language on set. The lawsuit also describes an “Astroturfing” campaign Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios, allegedly launched against her, aimed at undermining her reputation.
The actress cited examples of improvised kissing and discussions about her personal life as part of Baldoni’s alleged harassment. Lively claims these actions caused her “severe emotional distress.”
Baldoni’s Denial
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, issued a statement in response to the lawsuit. “It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives, as yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film,” Freedman said.
A Call for Change
Lively’s lawsuit has sparked conversations about the power dynamics in Hollywood and the challenges women face when advocating for safe work environments. She hopes her legal action will expose retaliatory tactics and protect others from similar treatment.
In her statement to The New York Times, Lively explained, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
A Growing Movement
As Hollywood stars continue to voice their support, Lively’s case highlights the need for systemic change in the entertainment industry. With high-profile allies like Paltrow, Schumer, Feig, and her Sisterhood co-stars standing by her side, the actress’s fight against harassment and retaliation has become a rallying point for accountability and justice in the workplace.
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