Sinister Theory Behind Blake Lively
The unfolding legal battle between actress Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni has taken another dramatic turn, as new details emerge about the alleged source of the smear campaign against Lively. A lawyer for Baldoni has suggested a contentious theory regarding how text messages, critical to Blake Lively complaint, were obtained by her legal team.
Allegations of Retaliation
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, told Puck News that the phone belonging to Jen Abel, a publicist formerly employed by Jonesworks, was likely taken by her boss, Stephanie Jones. The text messages contained within the phone reportedly played a significant role in Blake Lively legal case. Abel had handed in her phone after leaving Jonesworks in the summer, and its contents were later shared by Jones following a legal subpoena.
Freedman suggested a more cynical motive for Jones’ actions, alleging that she retaliated against Baldoni’s company after learning her firm was being fired. According to Freedman, Jones demanded $200,000 to terminate the contract early, and when Baldoni’s team refused, she allegedly “weaponized” the texts and collaborated with Lively’s team to aid in filing the complaint.
“Faced with losing yet another client, [Jones] resorted to her well-reported tactics and attempted to decimate her own client,” Freedman said.
Legal Fallout
The controversy over the text messages has raised questions about ownership and access to the device. Freedman pointed out that Abel’s phone was not issued by Jonesworks, implying potential overreach by Jones in obtaining and sharing its contents. Jones has not responded to requests for comment from Puck News.
Meanwhile, Blake Lively lawsuit accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her to preemptively discredit her should any on-set misconduct become public. Baldoni, his publicist Jen Abel, and crisis PR manager Melissa Nathan have denied the allegations, calling the suit “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.”
Broader Implications
The legal battle has already had professional consequences for Baldoni, who was dropped by his talent agency, WME, following the lawsuit. The controversy has also escalated further with The New York Times reporting that Jones is now suing Abel, claiming that Abel stole documents from Jonesworks to start her own PR business.
Freedman has accused Blake Lively team of “cherry-picking” text messages to support their case. However, Lively has maintained that her lawsuit is aimed at exposing retaliatory tactics in the entertainment industry.
Speaking to The New York Times, Lively stated: “I hope that my legal action 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.”
Complex Web of Allegations
As this high-profile legal battle continues, the emerging details paint a picture of intertwined disputes involving professional rivalries, alleged misconduct, and claims of retaliation. With lawsuits on multiple fronts and significant public attention, the case is set to remain a focal point in discussions surrounding power dynamics in Hollywood.
