After John F. Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg joked that he was representing Justin Baldoni in his lawsuit against the New York Times, the actor’s lawyer slammed the “ridiculous” post.
Justin Baldoni‘s legal counsel is not bringing on a new member.
In the days following the It Ends With Us star and director’s lawsuit against The New York Times for their Dec. 21 report which focused on costar Blake Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, President John F. Kennedy‘s grandson Jack Schlossberg joked that he would be representing Baldoni.
“I agreed to take on JUSTIN BALDONI as a client,” Schlossberg wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Jan. 1. “Why? FAIRNESS. EVERYONE is entitled to a FAIR TRIAL and ZEALOUS DEFENSE.”
The 31-year-old—who graduated from Harvard Law School in 2022 and passed the New York State bar exam in 2023—continued, “Justin has NOTHING to hide, Justice will be his revenge.”
After citing John Adams‘ representation of the British after the Boston Massacre in 1770, Schlossberg jokingly clarified the dynamic between attorneys and their clients in a separate post.
“My personal feelings about Justin Baldoni are irrelevant. Justin is my client, I’m his lawyer,” the youngest of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg‘s three kids added. “Even the most heinous individuals have the right to counsel for their defense.”
As for how Baldoni’s actual attorney reacted to Schlossberg jokingly alleging he was joining the legal team, Bryan Freedman told DailyMail.com on Jan. 2 that the claim was “ridiculous.“
Noting that Baldoni hadn’t spoken to the Vogue political correspondent, Freedman added, “Nobody on my team has spoken to him.”
E! News has reached out to reps for Schlossberg, as well as Baldoni, but has not heard back.
The ongoing battle between Baldoni and Lively has been escalating since she filed a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint against him with the California Civil Rights Department Dec. 21—as reported in The New York Times.
On the same day Baldoni filed his $250 million lawsuit against the newspaper, Lively filed a suit against him, his company Wayfarer Studios as well as publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel for, according to documents obtained by E! News, mental pain and anguish, severe emotional distress, and lost wages.
And the legal battle won’t end there as Freedman explained, he and Baldoni will “absolutely” sue Lively in addition to their suit against the NYT.
“We plan to release every single text message between the two of them,” Freedman told NBC News in a Jan. 2 interview. “We want the truth to be out there. We want the documents to be out there. We want people to make their determination based on receipts.”
Shortly after Lively’s original complaint, many stars weighed in on the legal battle between the former costars. For all of their thoughts, keep reading.
Colleen Hoover
After Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against It Ends With Us costar and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the film’s set and for later taking part in a smear campaign against her—claims that he has since denied via his lawyer—Colleen Hoover, who wrote the book that the movie is based on, shared a message to the actress.
“@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Colleen wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 21. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Robyn Lively
Blake’s sister, fellow actress Robyn Lively, also weighed in.
“I urge everyone to read The NY Times article in its entirety,” Robyn wrote on Instagram Dec. 23, referencing the NYT piece that details Blake’s complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department. “It calls out those behind the ruthless and nefarious smear campaign that aimed to take down my sister.”
The Teen Witch star went on to note that it also “highlights” what Blake allegedly experienced on the set of It Ends With Us.
Paul Feig
Blake’s A Simple Favor director also came to her defense, writing on X Dec. 22, “I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”
Amy Schumer
The comedian showed her support for the Gossip Girl alum, writing on her Instagram Story Dec. 22, “I believe Blake.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
Shortly after Blake’s complaint was made public, the Goop founder shared a photo of The Town star’s hair company, Blake Brown, on her Instagram Story, writing, “Just added to my Christmas wish list.”
Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn & America Ferrera
Blake’s BFFs and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars penned a joint message, posted to Instagram Dec. 22, stating they “stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.”
Bart Johnson
Bart Johnson shared an impassioned defense of his sister-in-law in the comments section of a New York Times Instagram post detailing the filing and its own investigation into the behind-the-scenes turmoil.
“Her complained were filed during the filming,” the High School Musical alum, who is married to Blake’s sister Robyn, wrote. “On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him for a reason. Read this article before spitting ignorance. His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out faults. But the public got played.”
He later added on X of Baldoni, “He’s a fraud. He puts on the ‘costume’ of a hero, man bun and all. Used all of the trendy catchphrases & buzz words for his podcasts. None of it’s genuine. It’s all theater. And everyone fell for it. For years. Rewatch his videos with a more critical eye and watch him compliment and praise himself with faux humility and self deprecation. What a performance.”
Shawn Levy
Ryan Reynolds‘ frequent collaborator Shawn Levy shared the New York Times investigation into the smear campaign on his Instagram Stories, writing, “Proud to call @blakelively a friend.”
Amber Heard
Days after Lively’s filing was made public, Amber Heard reflected on her own experience facing relentless vitriol online amid ex Johnny Depp‘s defamation trial against her.
“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” the Aquaman star expressed in a statement to NBC News Dec. 23. “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
Brandon Sklenar
Brandon Sklenar, who played Blake’s love interest Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, had a simple, pointed message of support.
Sharing a screenshot of the Gossip Girl alum’s full complaint against Baldoni on his Instagram Stories Dec. 23, he wrote over a link to the text, “For the love of God read this.” He followed up by tagging her with a heart emoji.
Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni’s sister and Blake’s BFF in the film, shared her thoughts on the “disturbing” allegations.
“As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation,” Slate said in a Dec. 23 statement to Today. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
“What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening,” the Parks and Recreation alum continued. “I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side.”
The actor, who stars alongside Lively in the upcoming sequel to A Simple Favor, sent his love to her on Instagram Story Dec. 23, adding that he felt her “pain” as they filmed together earlier this year.
Source: www.eonline.com