In the glamorous world of Hollywood, behind-the-scenes drama often mirrors the tales depicted on the silver screen. Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's latest scandal is no exception, as a lawsuit exposes alleged misconduct, creating ripples across the
- December 25, 2024
AceShowbiz - Justin Baldoni's former publicist, Steph Jones, has taken legal action against him, his current publicity team, and others amid alleged smear campaign against Lively, his co-star in "It Ends With Us."
Jones, who owns Jonesworks, claims Baldoni breached their contract by ceasing payments of $25,000 per month when he left the firm in August. The lawsuit names Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, accusing them of orchestrating the smear campaign against Lively without her knowledge.
The lawsuit alleges that Abel and Nathan's covert operations included implicating Jones, tarnishing her reputation to divert the blame for their actions. "To this day, Abel and Nathan continue to point the finger falsely at Jones now that their own misconduct is coming to light, and to defame and attack Jones in the industry," the lawsuit states.
Blake Lively herself has leveled serious accusations against Baldoni and his publicists, filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. According to Lively, the group targeted her with negative coverage as retaliation for her complaints about harassment on set. The complaint details various instances of inappropriate behavior by Baldoni during on-location shoots in 2023.
To substantiate her claims, Lively's attorneys obtained text messages through a subpoena to Jonesworks, revealing a conspiracy to "bury" her reputation. Responding to this, Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman threatened legal action against Jones for sharing these messages.
The fallout has escalated tensions within Baldoni's publicity network, exposing deep-seated issues. "Jones discovered the breadth and intensity of Abel and Nathan's duplicity from these records, including that Abel was actively encouraging other Jonesworks clients and employees to leave Jonesworks while Abel was still employed there," the lawsuit claims.
Jones has lodged further allegations of Abel and Nathan planting disparaging stories about her in the press. The resulting lawsuit in New York includes claims for breach of contract, tortious interference, breach of fiduciary duty, and defamation.
As the legal battles unfold, they highlight the often hidden, contentious dynamics within Hollywood's inner circles, leaving the industry and fans eagerly awaiting the next developments.
