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‘It Ends With Us’ Star Breaks Silence on Blake Lively's Justin Baldoni Allegations
Jenny Slate is standing by her friend and It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively.
After Lively filed a legal complaint against Justin Baldoni—fellow star and director of It Ends With Us—for sexual harassment and participating in a smear campaign against her, Slate called the allegations "disturbing."
“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,” Slate—who portrayed the sister of Baldoni's character in It Ends With Us— shared in a statement to Today Dec. 23. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
“What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening," she continued. "I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”
Lively's complaint—filed with the California Civil Rights Department as a precursor to a lawsuit, per The New York Times—details alleged misconduct involving Baldoni and fellow Wayfarer exec and producer Jamey Heath that took place on the set of It Ends With Us.
However, a lawyer for Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios—also named in Lively's complaint—denied the allegations.
“These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media," lawyer Bryan Freedman said in a Dec. 21 statement to the NYT, calling Lively's legal action “another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation.”
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Per the complaint, obtained by E! News, a meeting took place in January where the alleged misconduct was addressed and parties agreed that the behavior—including no more "mention of Mr. Baldoni's or Mr. Heath's previous 'pornography addiction''—would cease, allowing production on the film to be completed the following month.
However, amid the August release of It Ends With Us, Lively found herself to be a target of an alleged smear campaign aimed to tarnish her reputation.
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“I hope that my legal action," Lively said in a statement published by the NYT, "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.”
Since the complaint's release, Lively has been publicly supported by fellow celebs, including It Ends With Us costar Brandon Sklenar, as well as Colleen Hoover, who wrote the book which the film is based on.
"@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met," Hoover wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 21. "Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."
Keep reading for more reactions to Lively's legal complaint...
(E! and Today are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Instagram / Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover
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.
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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."
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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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