Members of Hollywood’s elite have rallied around Blake Lively after she filed a legal complaint against her co-star and It Ends with Us director Justin Baldoni.
On Friday (December 20), 37-year-old Lively accused Baldoni, 40, of sexual harassment and attempting to orchestrate a ‘social manipulation’ campaign to destroy her reputation.
She alleges that the Jane the Virgin actor had added ‘improvised gratuitous sexual content' after she’d accepted the role of Lily Blossom Bloom in the adaption of Colleen Hoover’s controversial novel It Ends With Us.
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Lively also claimed she was ‘routinely degraded’ by Baldoni - who both starred, produced and directed the movie. She also alleged he’d cried in her dressing room after seeing photographs of her on social media.
“She tried to reassure him that she should look authentic in the scenes depicted in the photos, which were just after her character had been abused by her fictional husband, rather than 'hot',” the lawsuit read.
Baldoni has since vehemently denied the allegations, with his attorney stating Lively’s claims were ‘completely false, outrage and intentionally salacious'.
In the wake of the lawsuit - which also included text messages allegedly sent between Baldoni and his team - various friends and colleagues of Lively have come out to support her.
Robyn Lively
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Lively’s older sister Robyn, 52, was one of the first to break their silence over the sexual harassment lawsuit.
Taking to Instagram, she wrote: “FINALLY justice for my sister @BlakeLively.
She then encouraged her followers to read the The New York Times article in a follow-up post before writing ‘Blake Lively’ with a heart drawn around the name.
Colleen Hoover
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It Ends with Us author Hoover has spoken out following Lively’s filed suit, claiming the Lily Blossom Bloom actress has been ‘nothing but honest’ for the duration of their relationship.
“@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” she wrote.
"Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."
Amber Heard
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“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’ I saw this firsthand and up close,” said Aquaman actress Amber Heard, 38.
“It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Blake Lively’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars
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In 2005, Lively starred in Ken Kwapis’ coming-of-age comedy-drama The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with America Ferrera, 40, Amber Tamblyn, 41, and Alexis Bledel, 43.
The trio released a joint statement via Instagram, citing: “As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.
“Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.
“Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.”
They added that they were ‘struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
In a subtle show of support, Gwyneth Paltrow, 52, posted an image of Lively’s haircare line Blake Brown on her Instagram stories.
She accompanied it with the caption ‘Just added to my Christmas wish list,” followed by a blonde-haired Queen emoji.
Jenny Slate
Lively’s It Ends with Us co-star Jenny Slate, 42, who plays Allysa in the film, has released a statement in the wake of the lawsuit via Today.
It reads: “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.
"Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
She added: “What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening. I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”
Brandon Sklenar
Another person who acted alongside Lively in It Ends with Us is Brandon Sklenar. The 34-year-old has shown his support for her amid the Baldoni lawsuit by sharing a link to the complaint on Instagram.
Sharing a screenshot of Lively's complaint, Sklenar wrote on it "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS.”
He also tagged her social media handle with a red heart emoji.
Amy Schumer
Snatched favourite Amy Schumer, 43, utilised her Instagram Stories to send a three-word message of support to Lively.
“I believe Blake,” she typed to her 12.8 million social media followers.
Bart Johnson
High School Musical actor and Lively’s brother-in-law Bart Johnson, 54, is another famous face who has rushed to her defence.
In the comment section for a post made by the New York Times, which first obtained details of the lawsuit, Johnson wrote: "Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him [Baldoni] for a reason.
“His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is [without] faults. But the public got played.”
“Just IMAGINE being a stay at home mom raising 4 kids, married to the busiest man in Hollywood and at the same time being a girl boss running multiple companies while writing, producing, running non profits and working 16+ hour days from home so you can be with your kids,” he continued.
“Launching 2 new businesses you been working on / developing for many years (launch scheduled by distributors, not you, btw) all while getting attacked by a VERY expensive PR smear campaign because you filed a sexual harassment claim for the very film you have to go out and promote with just the right tone or you get cooked!?”
He concluded: "But yeah let’s post from our couch how much we hate her for making mistakes. That makes sense.”
Paul Feig
A Simple Favor director Paul Feig, 62, has also rallied around Lively.
He took to social media and wrote: “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.’
Topics: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Celebrity, TV And Film, US News, Entertainment