On this episode of Non-Toxic, we're going Hollywood, breaking down the PR wars and legal wrangling between the stars of the domestic violence drama, It Ends With Us. Justin Baldoni, the director and co-star of the film, is facing serious allegations of sexual harassment, inappropriate on-set behavior–and a coordinated PR campaign to destroy the reputation of the film's leading actress, Blake Lively. (Notably, he's also the host of the podcast Man Enough.) Now, he's filed countersuits of his own. With insights from journalist Emily Kirkpatrick and gender justice researcher Dr. Will McInerney, this episode unpacks how PRs take advantage of misogyny on behalf of their clients, why branding yourself a male feminist might be problematic, and whether this case is the final nail in the coffin of #MeToo.

⁠⁠Support the show⁠⁠ and follow us ⁠⁠on Substack⁠. If you liked this episode , ⁠⁠⁠check out my conversation with ⁠⁠beauty reporter Jessica de Fino⁠ about the oppressive beauty standards coming for men.

Guest Bios:

Emily Kirkpatrick is a writer covering celebrity and pop culture for outlets such as New York magazine, Glamour, W, Vogue, and the New York Times. Her popular weekly newsletter, I <3 Mess, rounds up the best of the worst celebrity fashion.

Dr. Will McInerny is a researcher and educator who studies gender-based violence; violence prevention; men and masculinities; peace and conflict studies; and arts-based research.

The NYT articles in question:

‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine

‘It Ends With Us’ Actor and Director and His Publicists Sue The Times for Libel

The Levers of Change Gender Equality Attitudes Study 2022

Masculinity and women's equality: study finds emerging gender divide in young people's attitudes