Blake LivelyGilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Blake Lively‘s legal complaint against Justin Baldoni has rocked Hollywood because of the sexual harassment and smear campaign allegations from the set of It Ends With Us.
While experts weigh in on what is next for the feuding co-stars, it’s the emotional effect on the 37-year-old actress that is also crucial in this discussion.
Lively’s lawyers noted in the documents obtained by SheKnows that “the effects on Ms. Lively’s professional life were immediate and substantial.” They noted, “For example, Ms. Lively canceled a critical Target corporate event for her hair care company, and she backed out of her scheduled role to host the premier episode of the 50th anniversary season of Saturday Night Live in September 2024.” She felt the burden of “being forced to openly discuss what happened on set.”
Justin Baldoni attends Variety Faith And Spirituality In Entertainment Honors presented by CFAM at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on December 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Araya Doheny/Variety.
It’s not just Lively’s lawyers who are speaking up, she’s had countless former co-stars, friends, and family members speak up in her defense. Still, it was Michele Morrone, her co-star on A Simple Favor 2, who might have shared the rawest aspect of how Lively was feeling in the wake of the alleged social media attacks.
“It’s usually not my thing to make those kind of videos, but I think it’s time to stand up for a person that I really love and this person is Blake Lively,’ he said in an Instagram Story clip on Dec. 23. “I felt something was wrong, and I felt the pain. We had the opportunity to talk about [it] me and her. Blake was in pain.”
Michele Morrone in the front row at Moschino Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Runway Show on February 23, 2023 at Officina Ventura in Milan, Italy.Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images.
He encouraged his followers to read The New York Times article about the complaint and added, “I’m really tired to see those kind of cruel and bad comments about her without knowing the situation.
” Morrone also shared a sweet message to her at the end of the video, “Blake, I love you so much. Keep it up, and we’re going to see each other very, very soon.”
Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman condemned the legal actions taken by Lively, calling the allegations “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt,” per People.
Lively shared her statement with The New York Times: “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.”
