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Hailey Bieber & More Stars Mentioned in Blake Lively's Complaint Against Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively is detailing the ramifications Justin Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign had on her family.
In documents the Gossip Girl alum filed with the California Civil Rights Department and obtained by E! News, she alleges that Baldoni sought out a smear campaign to ruin her reputation, which in turn “traumatized” her Ryan Reynolds’ children, James, 10, Inez, 8, Betty, 5, and Olin, born in 2023.
“Worst of all, however, has been the impact on their young children, who have been traumatized,” one of the complaints in the 80-page filing—a precursor to a lawsuit—states, “and emotionally uprooted in ways that have substantially impacted their well-being.”
Lively also argued in the filing that Baldoni, It Ends With Us producer Jamey Health, and their company Wayfarer Studios allegedly seeking out the assistance of public relations specialist Melissa Nathan to tarnish her reputation had emotional effects on herself and her husband of 12 years in addition to their children.
“There are days when she has struggled to get out of bed, and she frequently chooses not to venture outside in public,” the filing also noted. “While she has fought to maintain her personal life and business interests, behind closed doors she has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety. She also has been experiencing repeated and painful physical symptoms as a result of this experience."
The complaint continued, “Mr. Reynolds, too, has been affected mentally, physically, and professionally by his wife and children’s pain.”
Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have denied the allegations, with their lawyer Bryan Freedman telling The New York Times in part, “These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
After Lively made her filing, she issued a statement explaining her reasoning for seeking legal action.
“I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct,” she said in a statement to The New York Times, “and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
In the days since her filing was made, many people in Lively’s inner circle have spoken out in support of the Age of Adaline star—including Colleen Hoover, who wrote the source material for the film adaptation starring Lively and Baldoni.
“You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Hoover said in a Dec. 21 Instagram Story. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Keep reading for more stars who have championed Lively since she took legal action.
Instagram / Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hover
After Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the film's set and for later taking part in a smear campaign against her—claims that he has since denied via his lawyer—Colleen Hoover, who wrote the book that the movie is based on, shared a message to the actress.
"@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met," Colleen wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 21. "Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."
Robyn Lively
Blake's sister, fellow actress Robyn Lively, also weighed in.
"I urge everyone to read The NY Times article in its entirety," Robyn wrote on Instagram Dec. 23, referencing the NYT piece that details Blake's complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. "It calls out those behind the ruthless and nefarious smear campaign that aimed to take down my sister."
The Teen Witch star went on to note that it also "highlights" what Blake allegedly experienced on the set of It Ends With Us.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Paul Feig
Blake's A Simple Favor director also came to her defense, writing on X Dec. 22, "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."
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images
Amy Schumer
The comedian showed her support for the Gossip Girl alum, writing on her Instagram Story Dec. 22, "I believe Blake."
Joseph Agustin
Gwyneth Paltrow
Shortly after Blake's complaint was made public, the Goop founder shared a photo of The Town star's hair company, Blake Brown, on her Instagram Story, writing, "Just added to my Christmas wish list."
Instagram / America Ferrera
Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn & America Ferrera
Blake's BFFs and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars penned a joint message, posted to Instagram Dec. 22, stating they "stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation."
Noam Galai/WireImage
Bart Johnson
Bart Johnson shared an impassioned defense of his sister-in-law in the comments section of a New York Times Instagram post detailing the filing and its own investigation into the behind-the-scenes turmoil.
“Her complained were filed during the filming,” the High School Musical alum, who is married to Blake's sister Robyn, wrote. “On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spitting ignorance. 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 with out faults. But the public got played."
Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images
Amber heard
Days after Lively's filing was made public, Amber Heard reflected on her own experience facing relentless vitriol online amid ex Johnny Depp's defamation trial against her.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” the Aquaman star expressed in a statement to NBC News Dec. 23. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
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