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Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni & the 'It Ends With Us' Controversy: Sexual Harassment, Smear Campaign, & SNL Chaos - [Your News Site Name]

Blake Lively Alleges Sexual Harassment and Retaliation by Justin Baldoni Leading to SNL Cancellation and Career Fallout

Blake Lively a well known star from Gossip Girl recently filed an extensive legal complaint accusing It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni of repeated sexual harassment and organizing a large retaliatory smear campaign targeting her. The complaint suggests Lively's career immediately suffered fallout including a canceled hosting role on Saturday Night Live during the Season 50 premiere demonstrating the deep professional harm.

Blake Lively Cancels Saturday Night Live Season 50 Premiere Hosting Job After On Set Incidents

The scheduled Saturday Night Live Season 50 premiere hosting gig meant for Lively eventually went to Jean Smart due to Lively choosing not to take the stage without having to discuss the issues. The producer claimed Lively would "not be able to attend public appearances without having to talk about incidents that occurred". This major event cancellation underscores the severity of Lively’s claims that affected her ability to engage with a broad fanbase. The legal filing details how Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios engaged in press manipulation after Blake Lively chose to speak up.

The legal document specified "The effects on Ms Lively’s career have been significant." The official filing states she canceled Target related events for her hair care business. Blake Lively also backed out of hosting Saturday Night Live premiere episode during September 2024 showcasing large scale impacts. The legal action filed with the California Civil Rights Department shows Baldoni's production company engaged in retaliatory press actions for the harassment allegations. The actions that included a “sophisticated press and digital plan” made public over the weekend was planned to silence Lively's actions while hiding true nature of workplace interactions from those that watched the movie.

Details Surrounding Disturbing Behavior from Director Justin Baldoni Before Film’s Release

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni & the 'It Ends With Us' Controversy: Sexual Harassment, Smear Campaign, & SNL Chaos - [Your News Site Name] image 3

The complaint included descriptions from a cast meeting after the guild strikes resumed featuring Blake Lively husband Ryan Reynolds along with Justin Baldoni discussing Baldoni’s disturbing on set behavior including the addition of improvised kissing and sexual scenes. Justin Baldoni mentioned his porn addiction during the meetings as well as how he believed he could communicate with her late father. Baldoni also jokingly said he “missed HR meetings” which happened after Lively mentioned she felt "ogled and exposed" when she turned down his crude advances during film production.

The 80-page legal document detailed multiple interactions between Baldoni crisis PR team member Melissa Nathan as they attempted to control media narrative after the movie’s August 9 release and many alleged rumors were in the air. Melissa Nathan had prior experiences with public controversy due to her previous job history while helping Johnny Depp during his trial with Amber Heard that further raises suspicion within public perception. Justin Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman rejected Lively’s claims saying her representatives actions are only a "desperate attempt to 'fix' her negative image.” He asserts Blake Lively created the negative perception that circulated in the media during the It Ends With Us campaign events based on remarks and actions from interviews done in real time.

Public Fallout: WME Agency Drops Justin Baldoni; Author Colleen Hoover Supports Blake Lively

Following the emergence of complaints WME agency terminated ties with Justin Baldoni even though that agency continues to represent Blake Lively showcasing strong repercussions due to public response to legal filing. Author Colleen Hoover has spoken in support of Blake Lively stating: “You have been honest kind supportive since the first time we met". Hoover who previously penned the book which the film It Ends With Us based off has publicly stated her agreement with Lively’s claims on her personal public accounts. This public denouncing of Baldoni by author further demonstrates the gravity and scale of the misconduct claims and her clear alignment with Blake Lively after seeing all the public outcry.

Amber Heard Backs Blake Lively: Social Media Manipulation Similar to Defamation Experience with Johnny Depp

Blake Lively received additional public support from Amber Heard who stated a retaliatory social media smear campaign and harassment that she too was familiar with. Heard has stated on NBC news "Social media is the personification of “A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on”. Heard had a defamation lawsuit after accusing Johnny Depp of abuse on a 2018 Washington Post article titled “I spoke up against sexual violence and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.” where she highlighted that she was targeted in a massive online social media based smear campaign by supporters and staff members of Johnny Depp . Melissa Nathan represented Depp previously also worked on the publicity for Baldoni raising large scale concerns within those who observe the case publicly.

Heard continued by mentioning her feelings that " the verdict in her trial "sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated”. Lively contends Nathan's work was for proactive social fan post manipulation and general campaign efforts. Lively had support for her case among her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars plus the author Colleen Hoover showing an extensive group supporting her experience.

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