The Brett Cooper Show: How Blake Lively Ended Her Own Career | Episode 2

Release Date: February 3, 2025

In this compelling episode of The Brett Cooper Show, host Brett Cooper delves deep into the tumultuous fallout between actress Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni surrounding their collaborative film project, "It Ends With Us." Cooper meticulously unpacks the series of events, allegations, and the pivotal role of social media in shaping public perception and the trajectory of both celebrities' careers.

1. Introduction and Recap

Cooper begins by setting the stage with a recap of the drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni:

• "It Ends With Us" is a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's controversial novel, produced and directed by Justin Baldoni through his company, Wayfarer Studios.
• Justin Baldoni originally spearheaded the project, but as production commenced, Blake Lively joined as the lead actress and gradually took control of the production.
• Tensions surfaced when, at the film's premiere, Lively and the cast mass unfollowed Baldoni on social media, signaling underlying conflicts (00:00-06:00).

2. Unfolding Tensions and Allegations

Cooper narrates how the initial signs of discord escalated:

• Promotion Discrepancies: While Baldoni promoted the film focusing on serious themes like domestic violence, Lively's promotional efforts were more upbeat, emphasizing floral events and her hair care line. This stark contrast sparked rumors of creative disagreements (06:00-10:00).

• Allegations Against Baldoni: Leaks suggested that Baldoni had fat-shamed Lively on set due to concerns over a specific scene requiring physical interaction. However, it was later revealed that Baldoni was managing a severe back injury and sought to ensure the safety of lifting Lively during filming (10:00-15:00).

• Lively's Public Behavior: Lively's cold and flippant demeanor in interviews, contrasted with Baldoni's sincere discussions about sensitive topics, further fueled speculations about their strained relationship (15:00-17:59).

3. The Role of Social Media and Leaks

The episode highlights how social media became a battleground for the public narrative:

• Mass Unfollowing and Leaks: The mass unfollowing of Baldoni by Lively and the cast was perceived as a deliberate PR maneuver. Subsequent leaks of alleged on-set mistreatment by Lively painted a damning picture against Baldoni (17:59-19:44).

• Justin’s Calm vs. Blake’s Aggression: While Lively actively sought to tarnish Baldoni's reputation through lawsuits and PR campaigns, Baldoni maintained composure, allowing social media users to uncover and disseminate evidence supporting his stance (19:44-25:10).

4. Lawsuits and Escalation

Cooper meticulously details the legal battles that ensued:

• First Lawsuit: On Christmas Eve, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and his PR team, accusing him of creating a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and orchestrating a PR war to ruin her image (25:10-32:17).

• Baldoni’s Counteractions: In response, Baldoni filed counter-lawsuits against Lively and the New York Times, alleging defamation and evidence tampering. These legal documents included text messages and audio recordings that contradicted Lively's claims, showcasing Baldoni as a supportive and ethical individual (32:17-34:38).

• Escalation to a Third Lawsuit: Baldoni’s team filed an additional $400 million lawsuit directly against Lively, further intensifying the conflict and revealing more evidence that undermined Lively’s allegations (34:38-42:15).

5. Expert Commentary on Social Media’s Impact

To provide deeper insights, Cooper introduces Jarrett Topransky, a PR expert in the entertainment industry:

• Jarrett’s Insights: Topransky explains how social media democratizes information, making it harder for single narratives to dominate. He emphasizes that today's citizen journalism allows the public to uncover truths independently, complicating traditional PR strategies (17:59-20:07).

• The Power of Collective Truth: Cooper and Topransky discuss how the collective efforts of social media users can effectively counteract orchestrated smear campaigns, as seen in the Lively-Baldoni saga (20:07-25:10).

6. The Unraveling of Lively’s Image

Cooper analyzes the gradual disintegration of Blake Lively's public persona:

• From Beloved Actress to Divisive Figure: Initially perceived as charming and relatable, Lively's aggressive legal actions and unverified allegations have painted her as manipulative and egotistical (25:10-32:17).

• Ryan Reynolds’ Role: Despite being married to Reynolds, whose positive public image offers some protection, Lively’s actions have strained their collective reputation. Cooper speculates that Reynolds may face professional challenges due to his association with Lively’s tarnished image (32:17-34:38).

7. Broader Cultural Implications

The episode concludes with Brett Cooper reflecting on the wider societal impacts:

• Weaponization of #MeToo: Cooper criticizes the misuse of the #MeToo movement by individuals like Lively to advance personal agendas, arguing that it undermines genuine victims and erodes trust in legitimate harassment claims (34:38-42:15).

• Evolving Media Landscape: He underscores how social media has transformed information dissemination, making transparency and evidence paramount. This shift empowers individuals to seek truth beyond mainstream media narratives, fostering a more informed and skeptical public (42:15-End).

• The Future of Celebrity Scandals: Cooper suggests that the Lively-Baldoni conflict exemplifies how traditional power structures in Hollywood are being challenged by a more vigilant and participatory audience, potentially reshaping how scandals are managed and perceived (42:15-End).

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Brett Cooper [00:00]:

  "It has become nearly impossible for one narrative to reign supreme through mainstream and legacy media alone."

• Jarrett Topransky [17:59]:

  "In the past, where we saw the initial piece come out in the New York Times back in the day, that just would have been it."

• Brett Cooper [34:38]:

  "which is why he's waiting on the world to change, because he believes that that is not fair."

• Jarrett Topransky [42:15]:

  "Citizen journalism is the future, you know, and that's where you get to hear from actual experts in the field."

Conclusion

In Episode 2 of The Brett Cooper Show, Brett Cooper provides an in-depth exploration of the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni scandal, highlighting the complexities of modern celebrity conflicts amplified by social media. Through detailed recounting, expert opinions, and critical analysis, Cooper illustrates the changing dynamics of media influence, the repercussions of personal branding in the public eye, and the enduring quest for truth in an era dominated by digital discourse.