It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni sounded off on allegedly being shunned to the basement during the film’s August premiere in a voice memo played on The Megyn Kelly show Jan. 7.
The It Ends With Us controversy surrounding Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively isn’t ending anytime soon.
During the Jan. 7 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show—which featured an appearance by Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman—the host played an audio clip purportedly of the It Ends With Us star and director complaining about allegedly being sidelined at the film’s New York premiere back in August.
“On what could’ve been one of the most beautiful nights of my life career-wise, I was literally sent to the basement with all my friends and family for over an hour,” Baldoni says in the undated clip, of which Kelly did not specify how she obtained, “because I wasn’t allowed to be seen.”
Indeed, the Jane the Virgin alum not appearing in any photos with Lively and the rest of their costars from the star-studded premiere was one of the details that tipped fans off to there possibly being bad blood between them.
“[Blake] didn’t want me anywhere near her or the rest of the cast, so they ushered me off of the carpet and they sent us down to the basement,” he continued. “We were down there together—my friends and family, the people that love me the most—and we start laughing because of the ridiculousness of this whole thing.”
The Six Feet Apart director added that the moment—which “was supposed to be so materialistically joyful”—forced him to reflect on why he pursued filmmaking to begin with.
“None of that s–t matters. None of it,” Baldoni said to his team. “That’s not why we’re in the business, that’s not why the three of us are in this business, to attend a premiere like that and be celebrated.”
“We’re in this business, because we’re artists and we believe in what we do,” he emphasized, “and because we want to create art that touches people’s hearts and souls and can move people, and that’s what we did.”
Baldoni ended the voice memo—which Kelly indicated was just a portion of a longer clip—on a hopeful message.
“I believe that will follow each of us,” he said, “and that truth will prevail and that light and love will win.”
In response to the newly released audio, E! reached out to Lively’s rep, who pointed a previous statement calling out Baldoni’s team for “more attacks” they say have been leveled against their client.
“A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’ by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied,” the Jan. 6 statement read in part. “Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim.”
In the weeks since Lively filed a legal complaint in California on Dec. 21, tensions between her and Baldoni have exploded into the courts. On Dec. 31, she sued Baldoni and his company for “severe emotional distress.”
That same day, he filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times over reporting on an alleged smear campaign against Lively after she accused him of sexual harassment on set. (The New York Times has since said they plan to “to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”)
His attorney has also since indicated plans to sue Lively.
But amid the ongoing lawsuits, Lively’s team slammed “more attacks” leveled at the A Simple Favor star by Baldoni and those in his camp.
“This is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences’ or a ‘he said/she said’ situation,” Lively’s lawyers also said in their Jan. 6 statement to E! News, noting that allegations made in Lively’s initial complaint were “serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.”
Meanwhile, Freedman, on behalf of Baldoni and his company Wayfarer Studios, refuted Lively’s initial complaint Dec. 21, saying, “these claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”
Keep reading to see how stars reacted to the situation between Lively and Baldoni.
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