Amber Heard has openly criticized the role of social media in spreading misinformation, calling it a platform that allows lies to travel faster than truth. Her remarks came in the wake of allegations by Blake Lively against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni, during the production of It Ends With Us.
Blake Lively’s Allegations Against Justin Baldoni
Blake Lively, a celebrated actress, accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and orchestrating a multi-layered plan to tarnish her reputation. This alleged scheme reportedly involved a calculated social media campaign, drawing parallels to previous high-profile defamation trials in Hollywood.
In her legal complaint, Lively revealed that Baldoni had hired crisis communications specialist Melissa Nathan, known for her role in representing Johnny Depp during his infamous defamation trial against Amber Heard in 2022.
Amber Heard’s Response
Reacting to the controversy, Amber Heard told NBC News, “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying, a lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.”
Heard herself faced a storm of social media scrutiny during her legal battle with Johnny Depp. The defamation trial stemmed from a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about surviving domestic abuse, which Depp claimed defamed him.
Blake Lively’s Support Network
The controversy has drawn significant support for Lively from her friends, colleagues, and the novel’s author, Colleen Hoover. Hoover praised Lively on Instagram, saying, “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive, and patient since the day we met.” She also linked a New York Times article titled, We Can Bury Anyone: Inside A Hollywood Smear Machine.
Lively’s co-stars from The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants—America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel—also stood by her, releasing a joint statement:
“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation. Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.”
They further emphasized the challenges women face in Hollywood, adding, “Even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment.”
Legal Responses
Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni and other defendants, dismissed the allegations as “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.” He revealed the studio had proactively hired a crisis manager ahead of the film’s marketing campaign.
It Ends With Us is based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, which tells the story of Lily Bloom’s pursuit of love amidst themes of domestic violence. Lively portrays Lily, with Baldoni playing her love interest, Ryle Kincaid.
Call for Change in Hollywood
This case highlights broader issues within Hollywood regarding workplace safety and retaliation against women who speak out. As more voices join Lively’s, the industry faces renewed scrutiny on its handling of harassment and the role of social media in influencing public narratives.
