A former publicist who previously worked with actor Justin Baldoni is now alleging that his current publicity team orchestrated a plan to harm her and steal her clients, while also launching a negative campaign against his co-star in “It Ends With Us,” Blake Lively. In a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court, Stephanie Jones and her agency Jonesworks are accusing Baldoni’s publicist, Jennifer Abel, of breaching their contract by starting a competing firm, taking clients and documents from Jones without permission, and engaging in defamation.
This legal action from Jones comes shortly after a separate complaint made by Lively with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on set and alleging that a retaliatory campaign was carried out with the help of Abel and crisis communications representative Melissa Nathan. Nathan, Abel, Baldoni, and his company, Wayfarer Studios, are all named as defendants in Jones’ lawsuit.
The allegations made by Lively have caused a stir in the industry, shedding light on the role of crisis PR firms and prompting a reevaluation of negative publicity surrounding Lively during the promotion of “It Ends With Us.” Jones had represented Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios until August, while Abel had been with Jonesworks until the same month. Text messages and emails exchanged by Abel, obtained through a subpoena of Jonesworks, were reportedly crucial in Lively’s complaint.
The film “It Ends With Us,” based on a novel by Colleen Hoover, was released in August, starring Lively as Lily Bloom and Baldoni as her abusive partner, Ryle Kincaid, with Baldoni also serving as the director. According to Jones’ lawsuit, Baldoni became concerned about potential negative reports about his behavior on set, prompting Abel and Nathan to devise a strategy to suppress any damaging revelations without Jones’ knowledge.
Allegedly, Abel and Nathan orchestrated a smear campaign against Lively on social media platforms while simultaneously planting negative stories about Jones and Jonesworks in the media. The lawsuit claims that they used fake social media accounts and dark web channels to defame Jones and her agency.
There has been no immediate response from Bryan Freedman, the lawyer representing Baldoni, Wayfarer, Abel, and Nathan, regarding the lawsuit filed by Jones. In a previous statement related to Lively’s complaint, Freedman defended Nathan’s firm, The Agency Group PR, stating that it operated as a typical crisis management company.
When hired by a client facing threats from two highly influential individuals with vast resources, attorney Samantha Freedman was drawn into a complex legal battle involving actress Blake Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. Freedman vehemently denied Lively’s allegations, labeling them as “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.”
The legal dispute unfolded as the client, identified as Jones in court documents, presented text messages allegedly obtained from the work phone of a terminated employee, Abel. One message from Abel referred to actor Justin Baldoni as “unlikeable and unrealistic as a leading man,” expressing disdain for his behavior. The text further criticized Baldoni’s perceived arrogance and questioned his need for humility rather than a men’s retreat.
Jones claimed that Lively had raised concerns about inappropriate conduct on set, including unauthorized entry into her trailer and the addition of unscripted sexual content to the film. Initially planning a positive public relations approach to address growing tensions between the stars, Jones asserted that Abel and another individual named Nathan orchestrated a negative media campaign on behalf of Baldoni and Wayfarer, coinciding with their intentions to establish a rival PR firm.
In response to the alleged defamation and misconduct, Jones’ lawsuit aimed to halt the damaging actions and sought compensation for the harm inflicted on her and her company, Jonesworks. The legal action demanded a trial by jury to address the complex web of accusations and counterclaims emerging from the entertainment industry controversy.
Following the filing of Lively’s complaint, various entities within Hollywood, including the acting union SAG-AFTRA and Sony Pictures Entertainment, expressed solidarity with the actress. Actor Justin Baldoni faced professional repercussions, with his talent agency WME severing ties in light of the escalating legal battle. Baldoni remained silent on the allegations raised by Lively and the subsequent lawsuit filed by Jones, leaving the public and industry insiders speculating on the unfolding drama.
As the story continued to develop, stakeholders in the entertainment community monitored the evolving narrative surrounding the high-profile dispute, underscoring the complexities and sensitivities at play in Hollywood’s legal landscape. The detailed accounts and legal maneuvers highlighted the intricate interplay between personal relationships, professional ambitions, and the ever-present scrutiny of public perception in the entertainment industry.
