Justin Baldoni’s ex-publicist sues him, his crisis PR team over alleged Blake Lively smear campaign

19 hours ago 1

The “It Ends With Us” drama has deepened.

Justin Baldoni’s ex-publicist is suing the actor, his film studio and his crisis PR team over an alleged breach of contract, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

Stephanie Jones, notably, runs Jonesworks and represented the “Jane the Virgin” alum, 40, before his and Blake Lively’s alleged feud made headlines.

Justin Baldoni’s ex-publicist, Stephanie Jones, is suing the actor. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com
She is also suing his current publicist and crisis PR manager. LinkedIn/Stephanie Jones
Jones is alleging a breach of contract. GC Images

When Baldoni allegedly began to fear in August that “allegations of misogynistic and toxic on-set behavior … would be harmful to his reputation and career,” his point person, Jones’ employee Jennifer Abel, hired “crisis fixer” Melissa Nathan to help her, according to court docs obtained by Page Six.

Jones claims in the lawsuit that Abel and Nathan “coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign” against Lively.

She further alleges in court docs that this was used “as an opportunity to drive a wedge between Jones and Baldoni, and to publicly pin blame for this smear campaign on Jones — when Jones had no
knowledge or involvement in it.”

She accused the publicists of launching a “smear campaign” against Lively. GC Images
Additionally, Jones claimed that the alleged campaign had been wrongly pinned on her. ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

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Jones, who claimed in court docs that she fired Abel for attempting to steal documents in an attempt to poach clients and start her own business, shared subpoenaed texts from Abel’s company phone in her lawsuit.

Abel currently works for Baldoni, whom she continued to rep after opening her firm.

In the alleged messages, Abel blasted Baldoni as a “pompous” man who was “not that important” and needed “to be humbled.”

Jones shared alleged text messages showing Jones slamming Baldoni. Vivien Killilea
The publicist allegedly called Baldoni “pompous” and “not that important.” Getty Images for Vital Voices Global Partnership

“When this movie flops, he’s going to try to blame every person around him for it,” Abel allegedly wrote, adding that she “can’t stand” him.

In another text, Abel allegedly criticized “his face,” to which an unidentified person replied, “Blake was probably grossed out too.”

Reps for Baldoni, Abel and Nathan have yet to respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

A source called the lawsuit “retaliatory” behavior. GC Images
The insider denied Jones’ claims about her employee attempting to poach clients. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com

However, a source provided documents to Page Six appearing to show that Abel resigned on July 10 via Zoom and left the company on August 23 with an expressed desire to be on amicable terms.

The insider alleged that Jones’ subsequent lawsuit is “retaliatory” behavior, claiming, “Justin and Wayfarer chose to leave with Jennifer Abel and were not ‘stolen.’

“Nor were any other clients,” the source continued. “The rest of the clients that came with her were either ones she had represented for years prior to joining Jonesworks, and she received written approval, and one she had personally signed while at Jonesworks who had no relationship with Stephanie Jones.”

Meanwhile, a source close to Joneswork claimed to Page Six, “Jen Abel stole a number of clients. Any claim otherwise is preposterous on its face,” referencing Abel working with Baldoni and Wayfarer since her time at Jones’ company.

The lawsuit comes on the heels of Lively’s sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni. Nancy Rivera / SplashNews.com
She also alleged that Baldoni attempted to “destroy” her reputation. Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Lively was the first to accuse Baldoni and his team of attempting to “destroy” her reputation in a sexual harassment complaint that went public over the weekend.

In addition to allegedly inappropriate behavior on the set of the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 book, Lively claimed Baldoni used “a digital army … to create, seed, and promote content” portraying her in a negative light.

The director has denied any wrongdoing, calling her claims “fabricated” and “salacious” via his and Wayfarer Studios’ lawyer, Bryan Freedman.

The director has denied Lively’s “salacious” claims. ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
Their co-stars have spoken out in support of the “Gossip Girl” alum. GC Images

The attorney also defended Baldoni’s PR team’s work in a statement to Page Six, claiming they took part in “standard scenario planning” as opposed to an “insidious PR effort.”

Lively and Baldoni’s co-stars have come to the “Gossip Girl” alum’s defense, with Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar sharing their support.

While Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, has yet to comment on the scandal, he made headlines for a cryptic Instagram Story post on Monday.

The drama first made headlines in August when “It Ends With Us” premiered. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com
Baldoni, who has been dropped by his talent agency, did not do press with his fellow cast members. Variety via Getty Images

The “Deadpool” star noted that he suited up as the character for a charity promotion “during a time [when he] really didn’t feel like” it.

Reynolds, who has been married to Lively since 2012, allegedly blocked Baldoni on social media prior to “It Ends With Us” premiering over the summer.

In addition, Reynolds was reportedly present at a previous “all hands on deck” meeting held to address Baldoni’s alleged bad behavior, which ranged from allegedly improvising during intimate scenes and discussing his past porn addiction, according to Lively’s lawsuit.

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