How Scooter Braun got drawn into bitter legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Blake Lively’s lawsuit against her 'It Ends With Us' co-star and producer Justin Baldoni has taken an unexpected turn, with music mogul Scooter Braun finding himself drawn into the unfolding drama.
Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a campaign to tarnish her reputation, following the film’s controversial release earlier this year as reported by TheTab.com.
Scooter Braun’s surprising connection to Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni
Court documents allege Baldoni hired Melissa Nathan, a crisis PR specialist who previously worked with Johnny Depp, alongside Jennifer Abel from RWA Communications, to mitigate negative press about his reported feud with Lively. However, the lawsuit claims these PR efforts aimed to “bury” Lively instead.
So, how does Scooter Braun fit into this legal battle? According to USA Today, Braun is part-owner of Hybe America, the majority stakeholder of The Agency Group, where Melissa Nathan works. Braun, best known for managing artists like Justin Bieber and for his infamous feud with Taylor Swift, now faces scrutiny over his indirect connection to the controversy.
The lawsuit also references Swift, a close friend of Lively, noting that PR narratives were allegedly spun about the “weaponization of feminism” and accusations involving Swift’s circle.
In one instance, Braun added fuel to the fire by sharing a TMZ article about Lively on his Instagram Story during the backlash she faced, cheekily commenting, “How was I not invited to this? #laughalittle.”
Text messages revealed in the court filings show Baldoni’s PR team discussing strategies to “bury” Lively. One exchange includes a chilling remark from Melissa Nathan: “We can’t write we will destroy her. Imagine if a document saying all the things he wants ends up in the wrong hands.”
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal drama
The tension between 'It Ends With Us' co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has escalated into legal action, with Lively filing a civil rights complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department.
The complaint accuses Baldoni, who also directed the film, of sexual harassment on set and alleges retaliation after Lively raised concerns about his behavior. Additionally, Lively claims Baldoni hired a crisis publicity firm to launch a “social manipulation campaign” aimed at tarnishing her reputation during the film's promotional tour.
An attorney for Baldoni has categorically denied the allegations, calling them “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious,” and suggested that Lively is attempting to salvage her reputation.
The filing could serve as a precursor to a lawsuit, marking another dramatic turn for the film, which has been the subject of intense scrutiny.
Released in August, 'It Ends With Us' is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, inspired by her parents’ abusive marriage. The book gained significant traction through the BookTok community, where fans eagerly anticipated the film adaptation.
Baldoni secured the rights to the novel in 2019 through his production company, Wayfarer Studios, and Lively’s casting fueled excitement ahead of its release. However, during the movie’s media tour, rumors of on-set tensions between Lively and Baldoni began circulating online.
Fans speculated about strained dynamics between the stars, leading to a wave of online criticism against Lively. She was accused of being insensitive, controlling, and engaging in “mean girl” behavior. Lively now claims Baldoni’s team intentionally amplified these narratives to discredit her, an accusation Baldoni’s lawyer denies.
