Justin Baldoni faced criticism regarding negative attention towards Blake Lively before lawsuits were initiated. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, clarified that Baldoni was not pleased with any detrimental press surrounding the release of “It Ends With Us” in August 2024. He emphasised that it was not in Baldoni’s interest for Lively to be negatively criticised. Lively accused Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation, an accusation vehemently denied by Baldoni’s legal team. The ongoing legal conflict between the two celebrities is slated for trial in March 2026.
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During an appearance on The Town podcast with Matthew Belloni, Freedman addressed the allegations made by host Belloni regarding text messages between Baldoni’s publicists and crisis managers included in Lively’s complaint. Freedman clarified that emojis were omitted from the conversations in question, indicating that they were light-hearted exchanges about organic press received by “It Ends With Us” upon its release. The attorney stressed that Baldoni’s primary concern was for the success of the project they both worked on, rather than any negative publicity towards Lively or himself.
Freedman underscored Baldoni’s dedication to “It Ends With Us,” labelling it as his “passion project.” He highlighted Baldoni’s displeasure with any critique the movie faced post-release. The lawyer expressed that Baldoni actively sought to gauge public response to the film and considered adjustments that could positively impact its reception. In response to Lively’s claim of a smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni, his legal team maintained that any negative attention she received was spontaneous and not instigated by them.
Lively had presented alleged text exchanges between Baldoni, his publicist Jennifer Abel, and crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan as evidence of the smear campaign in her complaint. However, Baldoni’s team contended that any adverse publicity Lively encountered during the film’s press tour naturally occurred. They countered Lively’s allegations with their own claim in an amended complaint, suggesting that Baldoni was subjected to a smear campaign. Moreover, allegations surfaced that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, attempted to coerce Baldoni into accepting blame for the film’s challenges and negative publicity.
Freedman reiterated that the interactions between Baldoni and his representatives detailed in Lively’s lawsuit were a genuine reflection of receiving unsolicited press coverage. The attorney emphasised that Baldoni did not endorse any negative narratives regarding Lively’s involvement in promoting the movie. The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni continues, with both parties staunchly defending their positions while preparing for the upcoming trial. The nuanced complexities of the case unveil a tangled web of allegations and counterclaims, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of celebrity disputes in the entertainment industry.