Scandal Rocks Hollywood as Actress Blake Lively Accuses Co-Star and Producer of Smear Campaign
The Plot Thickens
When actress Blake Lively went public this month with the explosive accusation that her "It Ends With Us" co-star and producer Justin Baldoni and his team developed a campaign to "smear" her in the press for reporting on-set sexual harassment, she marshaled powerful evidence: her opponents’ own words.
Text Messages Reveal a Web of Deceit
A trove of text messages Lively submitted to California’s Civil Rights Department appeared to show Baldoni, his production company, and two publicists affiliated with the company plotting "social manipulation," among other tactics, to fend off any airing of Lively’s grievances and preserve Baldoni’s reputation.
The Texts
"All of this will be most importantly untraceable," Melissa Nathan, one of the crisis publicists, said in a text.
Experts Weigh In
"I’ve never seen a case like this," said Neville Johnson, the veteran entertainment litigator who has represented actors, musicians, and other artists for nearly 50 years. Calling it "modern warfare in law," Johnson was surprised on two fronts: the lengths to which publicists allegedly went to protect Baldoni, and that Lively’s team had procured such a potent tranche of text messages before filing their California civil rights complaint.
How Lively Got the Texts
The answer in part shows the tangled web of personalities and businesses drawn into the dispute, and the confluence of legal and public relations strategies at play.
Subpoena or Friendly Subpoena?
Lively’s attorneys have been circumspect about the provenance of the text messages. Her complaint contains a footnote stating that the messages, including a 22-page compendium of texts submitted as an exhibit with the complaint, came through the "legal process, including a civil subpoena." Some of the messages are redacted or have the senders’ and recipients’ names omitted.
The Lawsuit
Jones, the founder of Jonesworks, effectively outed herself as the source of the damaging communications in a lawsuit she filed December 24. With Jonesworks as the publicity firm for Baldoni and his company, Jones would seemingly have been aware of the alleged smear campaign against Lively. But Jones disavows involvement and contends that a former subordinate, Jennifer Abel, and others close to Baldoni cooked up the plan as part of a broader "conspiracy," which also included starting a rival publicity firm.
Conclusion
The dispute has offered an evergreen reminder: be careful what you put in writing. As the high-profile case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Lively’s allegations will impact the entertainment industry and the public’s perception of the Hollywood machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Lively get the text messages?
A: The answer lies in the tangled web of personalities and businesses drawn into the dispute, and the confluence of legal and public relations strategies at play.
Q: What is the significance of the text messages?
A: The messages reveal a web of deceit and a campaign to "smear" Lively in the press for reporting on-set sexual harassment.
Q: How do Lively’s lawyers explain the origin of the text messages?
A: Lively’s attorneys have been circumspect about the provenance of the text messages, citing a civil subpoena.
