The Legal Battle Riveting Hollywood

The Daily

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Published: Tue Jan 28 2025

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of alleged sexual harassment, and a fictional portrayal of domestic violence. Over the last few weeks, the Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have gone to battle over exactly what happened during the making and promotion of their latest film. It’s a dispute that has pulled back the curtain on an alleged smear campaign and the new set of tools that celebrities can use to defend themselves and redefine their enemies in the court of public opinion. Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter at The New York Times, discusses the legal complaint that started it all. Guests: Megan Twohey, an investigative reporter at The New York Times.

Summary

Summary of "The Legal Battle Riveting Hollywood" Episode of The Daily

The Daily episode titled "The Legal Battle Riveting Hollywood," released on January 28, 2025, delves into the contentious legal dispute between Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Hosted by Natalie Kitroweff and Megan Tuohy, the episode unpacks the complexities of their allegations, the ensuing smear campaign, and the broader implications for celebrity reputations in the digital age.

1. Introduction to the Legal Dispute

The episode opens with Megan Tuohy introducing the high-profile legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni concerning their latest film, It Ends With Us. Lively has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment during the film's production, while Baldoni countersues, alleging a deliberate smear campaign orchestrated by Lively to tarnish his reputation.

[00:50] Megan Tuohy: "Blake Lively has filed a federal lawsuit claiming her co-star Justin Baldoni sexually harassed her."

2. Background of It Ends With Us

It Ends With Us is a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's popular novel, focusing on a young woman's journey to escape an abusive relationship and pursue her dream of opening a flower shop. Baldoni, known for his advocacy against toxic masculinity, directed the film and cast Lively in a leading role, setting high expectations for both the project and their collaborative efforts.

[04:26] Megan Tuohy: "The movie is about this young woman chasing her dream of opening a flower shop who falls in love with this seemingly perfect guy... he becomes physically abusive."

3. Allegations of Misconduct on Set

Lively alleges that during filming, Baldoni made several inappropriate advances, including proposing gratuitous sex scenes, initiating unwanted kissing, discussing his personal sex life, and entering her trailer without permission—particularly during times she was breastfeeding. Additionally, Lively accuses Jamie Heath, the CEO of Wayfarer Studios, of similar misconduct.

[06:39] Natalie Kitroweff: "Like what, for example?"

[06:41] Megan Tuohy: "Baldoni wanted to add some sex scenes to the movie that she felt were gratuitous. He also alleges that he improvised unwanted kissing... entered her trailer without permission while she was breastfeeding."

4. The Alleged Smear Campaign

Following these incidents, Lively sought to address the issues by requesting specific conditions on set, including the presence of an intimacy coordinator and the cessation of unwanted sexual discussions. While Wayfarer agreed to these conditions, tensions persisted, culminating in creative disagreements over the film's editing process.

As the film's premiere approached, signs of discord became visible to the public—Lively and other cast members unfollowed Baldoni on Instagram, and they avoided joint appearances with him. According to Lively's complaint, Baldoni feared that her allegations might become public and initiated a coordinated effort to damage her reputation.

[09:04] Megan Tuohy: "Baldoni does an edit of the movie one way, but Lively did her own edit, and in the end, Sony... supports her version."

[12:12] Megan Tuohy: "Baldoni wrote... 'Not sure I'm feeling the protection I felt on the call.'"

5. Justin Baldoni's PR Strategy

In response to the growing negative perception, Baldoni hired Melissa Nathan, a PR expert known for handling high-profile cases like Johnny Depp's, to manage the crisis. Text messages revealed in Lively's complaint indicate that Baldoni's team strategized to overshadow Lively by manipulating social media narratives and flooding platforms with pro-Baldoni sentiments.

[13:19] Megan Tuohy: "Nathan writes, 'All of this will be, most importantly, untraceable.'"

[14:26] Megan Tuohy: "Nathan writes... 'creation of social fan engagement to go back and forth with any negative accounts, helping to change narrative and stay on track.'"

6. New York Times Coverage and Legal Repercussions

The New York Times reported on the alleged smear campaign, detailing how Baldoni's team may have employed digital contractors to influence public perception against Lively. In retaliation, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against the Times, accusing them of defamation and misrepresentation.

[24:16] Megan Tuohy: "The lawsuit takes on two issues. First is the alleged smear campaign, and second, Lively's allegations of misconduct during filming."

The Times stood by their reporting, emphasizing meticulous and responsible journalism, and prepared to defend against Baldoni's legal actions vigorously.

[25:29] Natalie Kitroweff: "The Times stands by the story, saying it was meticulously and responsibly reported and that the company plans to vigorously defend against the suit."

7. Public and Industry Reactions

The legal battle has polarized public opinion, with supporters rallying behind Lively initially. However, Baldoni's aggressive PR tactics and legal counterattacks have shifted some narratives, leading to confusion and divided loyalties among fans and industry insiders alike.

[29:28] Megan Tuohy: "It seems like, at least according to these messages that were cited in her legal complaint, the mixing of messages, confusing people, that was the goal."

8. Broader Implications for Public Narrative Manipulation

The episode concludes by exploring the broader implications of this case, highlighting how digital manipulation and coordinated smear campaigns can influence public perception and reputations. Tuohy raises concerns about the potential for such strategies to extend beyond Hollywood, affecting politics, business, and other spheres where reputation is paramount.

[31:07] Natalie Kitroweff: "The very existence of a campaign like the one alleged in the complaint that uses these new tactics and tools to prevent reputational damage... what's most significant here."

[32:28] Megan Tuohy: "I think this story raises broader questions about just how much of what we consume online is being manipulated to serve one interest or another."

Conclusion

"The Legal Battle Riveting Hollywood" offers an in-depth examination of the escalating conflict between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of power, reputation management, and digital influence in the entertainment industry. The episode underscores the evolving challenges faced by public figures in an era where personal narratives can be swiftly shaped and reshaped through strategic media maneuvers.