The news surrounding Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has ignited significant public controversy, particularly after Lively filed a detailed 80-page complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and attempting to destroy her public image with a smear campaign. This legal action has sparked widespread support for Lively, with many commending her for speaking out. In her statement, Lively expressed hope that her case would help expose retaliatory tactics used to silence victims of misconduct and provide protection for others who may be targeted in the future.
The gravity of Lively’s accusations has led to swift repercussions for Baldoni. He was dropped by his talent agency, WME (William Morris Endeavor), and his co-host on The Man Enough Podcast, Liz Plank, severed ties with him after four years on the show. Plank, however, did not directly address Baldoni in her announcement.
Adding to the fallout, the non-profit organization Vital Voices, which advocates for gender equality and human rights, rescinded Baldoni’s Voices of Solidarity Award. Baldoni had been honored with the award on December 9 for his advocacy on behalf of women and girls. In a statement, Vital Voices condemned the “disturbing” conduct described in Lively’s complaint, particularly the alleged PR efforts to undermine her. The organization emphasized that Baldoni’s actions contradicted the values of the award and the organization itself.
While many on social media have reacted with shock, with some suggesting that Baldoni’s career may be over, others have called for caution, stressing that Baldoni deserves a fair legal process. His lawyer has denied the allegations, claiming that the text messages cited in the lawsuit lacked important context and that the accusations were false and sensationalized. The California Civil Rights Department has 60 days to decide whether to investigate the case further.