Justin Baldoni gets ready to file countersuit against Blake Lively after bombshell allegations
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The fallout between Blake Lively and her 'It Ends With Us' co-star and director Justin Baldoni continues to escalate.
Reports indicate Baldoni is preparing to file a counter-suit against Lively as soon as courts reopen on Thursday, January 4.
Justin Baldoni loses support amid Blake Lively’s accusations
Blake Lively filed an 80-page legal complaint on Friday, December 20, accusing Justin Baldoni of inappropriate behavior on set and alleging he orchestrated a smear campaign against her with help from crisis specialist Melissa Nathan, who also helped Johnny Depp.
Lively's complaint, which highlights serious allegations about Baldoni's behavior on the set, particularly with Lively, has led to a growing backlash.
The director and actor reportedly lost support from his agents at WME. Additionally, he had an allyship award from the global nonprofit organization Vital Voices revoked, which recognized his support for women.
His podcast partner also quit their joint venture, further isolating Baldoni professionally. Reports suggest Baldoni is being canceled.
Lively, meanwhile is receiving support from numerous Hollywood stars, co-stars, and other prominent personalities.
Justin Baldoni has prepared explosive counter-lawsuit with Jamey Heath
Justin Baldoni, along with his business partner Jamey Heath and publicists named in Blake Lively’s complaint, is set to file a counter-lawsuit.
According to the Daily Mail, the lawsuit will allege that it was Lively’s team, not Baldoni’s, who spread smears against him, not the other way around.
The counterclaim will also highlight Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, accusing her of planting damaging stories about Baldoni in the press. The suit is also expected to challenge the meaning of evidence submitted by Lively.
It also seeks to address the poor working relationship between Baldoni and Lively, pointing to a flawed marketing strategy for their domestic abuse movie, which triggered a media frenzy.
Insiders question timing and motives behind Blake Lively’s accusations
A source involved in the matter shared doubts about the timing of Blake Lively’s complaint.
"Do you seriously think that Blake Lively, married to one of the most powerful men in town and represented by one of the most powerful publicists, is going to sit meekly by if she is sexually harassed on a film set, and then hang on for four months after the film is released before making a complaint? It makes no sense," the source told Daily Mail.
"Would he have said that he had spoken to Blake's dead father? Yes absolutely. Did he harass her? He says not," the insider added.
Further explaining their dynamic, the source stated, "They rubbed each other up the wrong way. She has taken bits of conversations which they had when he was trying to be her friend, when they were friendly, and weaponized them."
