(Left-right:) Brandon Sklenar; Blake Lively; Justin Baldoni.Photo:Gotham/WireImage; Taylor Hill/WireImage; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
Gotham/WireImage; Taylor Hill/WireImage; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock
Brandon Sklenaris speaking out in support ofBlake Livelyfollowing hersexual harassment complaint filed againsttheirIt Ends with Usdirector and costarJustin Baldoni.
He included a link to theNew York Times' archive of the legal documents, writing, “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS.” Sklenar also tagged the Instagram account of Lively, 37, adding a red heart emoji.
Lively’s complaint, which is a precursor to filing a discrimination lawsuit in California, was filed against Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, its co-founder Steve Sarowitz,It Ends with Uslead producerJamey Heathand those named in an alleged effort to tarnish Lively’s reputation via an extensiveretaliatory smear campaign: Jed Wallace, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel.
Filed months afterrumors of behind-the-scenes strifebetween Baldoni, 40, and the cast of theColleen Hooveradaptation, the complaint alleges that Lively “has suffered from grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety" due to Baldoni’s alleged actions, which included “invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior.”
Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Baldoni, told PEOPLE that Lively’s allegations are “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt.”
In astatementshared on Monday, Dec. 23, Freedman addressed the claims of a smear campaign, saying that “audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful.”
In August, the1923starposted an impassioned noteto his Instagram, askingIt Ends with Usfans to “be a part of something better together,” shouting out Hoover and his castmates, including Lively,Isabela FerrerandJenny Slate.
The post, which Sklenar edited Monday to include only a heart emoji as its caption, previously read, “Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.”
Blake Lively and Brandon Sklenar in ‘It Ends with Us’.Jojo Whilden
Jojo Whilden
Sklenar then toldAccess Hollywoodin September that thenegativity surrounding the film“just seemed silly to me,” adding, “It’s an important film for so many women and so many survivors of domestic abuse and that’s what it’s all about, is making people feel heard and strong and loved.”
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“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 — who plays the sister of Baldoni’s character — wrote. “Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
In addition, on Monday, Sony, the studio behind the film, issued a statement in support of Lively.
“We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today,” the statement read. “Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.”
source: people.com
