Michele Morrone and his costar Blake Lively.Photo:Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty; Roy Rochlin/Getty
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty; Roy Rochlin/Getty
Michele Morroneis lending his support to his costarBlake Lively.
On Monday, Dec. 23, the 34-year-old Italian actor and model took to his Instagram Story to speak out about the allegations ofsexual harassment and retaliatory behaviorthat Lively, 37, has made against herIt Ends With Usdirector and costarJustin Baldoni.
Morrone, who appeared alongside Lively in the upcomingA Simple Favor 2, shared a video of his take on the matter.
“It’s usually not my thing to make those kind of videos,” he began, “but I think it’s time to stand up for a person that I really love and this person is Blake Lively.”
Michele Morrone on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival in October 2024.Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty
“I felt something was wrong, and I felt the pain," Morrone added about meeting Lively on the set ofA Simple Favor 2. “We had the opportunity to talk about [it] me and her. Blake was in pain.”
He ended the video with a message to his costar, noting, “Blake, I love you so much. Keep it up, and we’re going to see each other very, very soon.”
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Lively began filmingA Simple Favor 2shortly after she wrappedIt Ends With Us, the dark romance adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling book. In the film, she played opposite Baldoni, whose character Ryle Kincaid was physically abusive to her character Lily Bloom.
Morrone isn’t Lively’s first costar to speak out in her defense. Brandon Sklenar, who plays Atlas Corrigan inIt Ends With Us,previously reposted Lively’s complaintagainst Baldoni on his Instagram Stories, writing, “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS.”
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively in ‘It Ends With Us’.Nicole Rivelli
Nicole Rivelli
CostarJenny Slatealso spoke out, releasing a statement of support for Lively.
“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 toldTODAY.com. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in ‘It Ends With Us’.Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures Entertainment
Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures Entertainment
Inher complaint, filed ahead of a potential discrimination lawsuit, Lively accused Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, its co-founder Steve Sarowitz,It Ends with Uslead producerJamey Heathand multiple other people, of orchestrating an effort to tarnish her reputation via an extensiveretaliatory smear campaign.
Lively accused Baldoni of “invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior,” leading to her “grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.”
Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Baldoni,previously told PEOPLEthat Lively’s allegations are “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt.”
In a Monday, Dec. 23,statementFreedman also addressed the smear campaign accusations, and said that “audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful.”
source: people.com
