Why is Blake Lively so overrated?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Does it matter that he hired his friend for a scene, assuming he behaved professionally? That particular allegation has caused me to doubt all her allegations. I just don’t see how hiring a friend is harrassing. Especially while Blake is trotting around her dragons.

I mean we went over this when Lively's complaint came out. Individually, a lot of her allegations seem like not a big deal, but together they could be harassment. We weren't there. We don't really know what the vibe was on set and the complaints present two very different pictures. Not saying she's right or that he's wrong. But the idea that if you find one of her allegations overblown or unreasonable, it means everything in her complaint is wrong, is dramatic. Same is true for his complaint.

It's actually possible to follow this case and not choose sides.

I see your point about patterns. But I also think when you throw in a bunch thin complaints that don’t stand on their own (and there are many of these—not just the friend), you’re showing your own pattern for exaggeration. It goes both ways.

Saying this as a lawyer, his complaint relies much more on documentary evidence, which is why it is twice the length of hers. Furthermore, he specifically mentioned that the disputed intimacy scenes were recorded, even between takes, which he would not do if the recordings did not support his version of events since she wasn’t aware of this fact. It isn’t choosing sides, one complaint is legitimately much stronger than the other. Which is why Blake’s sock puppeting shill has returned to this thread to nit pick. But it’s for naught, his complaint is stronger.

But as a lawyer you know that a complaint is not the end of the evidence-gathering stage, right? It's the beginning. Neither lawsuit has really even begun discovery in earnest. It is going to wind up coming down to what is actually on the filmed footage, the testimony of other witnesses, etc. We still have no statements from any other actors or crew members that go directly to any of this. I expect personal assistants may also be subpoenaed and that could be relevant. The actual footage of those scenes will presumably be brought in and it will clarify some things but likely also raise other issues.

I am not a "sock puppeting shill" by the way -- I do not even like Blake Lively as an actress or her public persona and I find Ryan Reynolds grating AF. I have no opinion on Justin Baldoni as I've never seen him in anything except the one season of Jane the Virgin I watched and I honestly don't even remember him in it. But I am a lawyer. I think it's weird to think, based on these two complaints, that you can actually know what happened. I have no idea. I do find it an interesting situation to follow though. It's juicy as hell. Loving the Taylor Swift twist right now.

… what’s the TS twist?

And this does go to the earlier legal discussion of how effective smaller specialized firms can be…

Baldoni's complaint alleges that a "megacelebrity" (who is implied to be a singer) tried to exert pressure on Baldoni to accept script changes suggested by Lively during a visit by Baldoni to Lively's and Reynold's apartment. Many people are speculating that the person referenced is Taylor Swift given that Lively and Swift have a very close friendship and she'd fit the description in the complaint to a tee. If it's not Swift, the complaint was written in a way to imply that it was.

I don't get your comment about smaller specialized firms? Sounds like Baldoni's lawyer is a one-man shop. I agree with some others that aspects of the complaint were a little bit sloppy and bombastic, but it also sounds like he's pretty effective in this kind of case. I have seen a couple interviews with him and he clearly loves doing them and likes to use the press and public opinion as a tool. Reminds me of a white collar defense lawyer I knew a while back. He liked the fight. Made him a great litigator, but a very obnoxious colleague.

A lawyer earlier was saying that the firms used weren’t ’top tier’ or something like that, and there was a discussion about how in addition to being more cost effective, smaller firms are often better at this sort of thing. Specialized industry knowledge etc.
I don’t think a big law firm would be comfortable making the PR moves freedman has, for one.

I was the one who said that, and I was referring to Blake’s law firms, I said they were mid. I feel redeemed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve said it before and I will repeat it again, Isabel, who played young Lily - her texts to Justin really hurts blakes case - she didn’t have to send them and she was over the top complementing him on how he ran the movie. I was actually shocked to see them there because it just goes against what Blake had reported.

Here’s the thing. A little after the movie wrapped, Jenny Slate published a book, and Blake went on Instagram raving about it. I’m sure you could still find the post. And Ryan did that mock take down of Brandon who played Atlas, pretended to be jealous. He even got his mom to join the bit. I’m sorry, but if you’re an actor trying to build a career, it certainly would help to have a video going viral of you having playful banter with Ryan Reynolds.

It seems like the cast was fine with Justin and they chose sides based on Blake and Ryan’s power. If not, somebody needs to show that there were other problems on set. I’ve seen none of that and it’s been a month.

100%. I thought this was really damning. If you haven't already, I encourage posters to read these texts. They are not from someone who observed any issues whatsoever on set, quite the opposite. It's worth noting this young actress also had intimate scenes which she thought Baldoni handled beautifully. I'm skeptical a sexual harasser would respect and pass over a nobody and go right after a big industry star. It's of course possible, but that would be highly unusual for an abuser.

[Anonymous]

In a case like this, would they be able to get things like texts Blake sent to cast members or RR?

[Anonymous]

The reason this case is getting so much attention is simply because of hubris. Blake thought she could crush him, using me too language and pop psychology rhetoric like darvo. But she and her husband didn’t count on him hiring a bulldog of an attorney and the fact that faced with any sort of scandal, social media does not immediately side with a famous blond woman with a billionaire husband (not to say that white women can’t be sympathetic figures, look at all the love Dolly Parton and Jennifer Garner get). She needs damning evidence against him and he’s not a woody Allen type figure to where you could get that.

The hate she got the first time around was organic. Had she or her team understood that, they would have been much better able to navigate the aftermath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve said it before and I will repeat it again, Isabel, who played young Lily - her texts to Justin really hurts blakes case - she didn’t have to send them and she was over the top complementing him on how he ran the movie. I was actually shocked to see them there because it just goes against what Blake had reported.

Here’s the thing. A little after the movie wrapped, Jenny Slate published a book, and Blake went on Instagram raving about it. I’m sure you could still find the post. And Ryan did that mock take down of Brandon who played Atlas, pretended to be jealous. He even got his mom to join the bit. I’m sorry, but if you’re an actor trying to build a career, it certainly would help to have a video going viral of you having playful banter with Ryan Reynolds.

It seems like the cast was fine with Justin and they chose sides based on Blake and Ryan’s power. If not, somebody needs to show that there were other problems on set. I’ve seen none of that and it’s been a month.

100%. I thought this was really damning. If you haven't already, I encourage posters to read these texts. They are not from someone who observed any issues whatsoever on set, quite the opposite. It's worth noting this young actress also had intimate scenes which she thought Baldoni handled beautifully. I'm skeptical a sexual harasser would respect and pass over a nobody and go right after a big industry star. It's of course possible, but that would be highly unusual for an abuser.

This. Especially since she is younger and favors Blake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason this case is getting so much attention is simply because of hubris. Blake thought she could crush him, using me too language and pop psychology rhetoric like darvo. But she and her husband didn’t count on him hiring a bulldog of an attorney and the fact that faced with any sort of scandal, social media does not immediately side with a famous blond woman with a billionaire husband (not to say that white women can’t be sympathetic figures, look at all the love Dolly Parton and Jennifer Garner get). She needs damning evidence against him and he’s not a woody Allen type figure to where you could get that.

The hate she got the first time around was organic. Had she or her team understood that, they would have been much better able to navigate the aftermath.

Yup.

[Anonymous]

Also, the smear campaign, coordinated or not, that showed past clips of her being difficult, smug, a jerk etc. maybe they coordinated the digging up of those clips, but she was rude in all those clips and that is on her. She seems entitled and difficult and has a shit ton of power over other due to her status and wealth as Ryan Reynolds wife.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve said it before and I will repeat it again, Isabel, who played young Lily - her texts to Justin really hurts blakes case - she didn’t have to send them and she was over the top complementing him on how he ran the movie. I was actually shocked to see them there because it just goes against what Blake had reported.

Here’s the thing. A little after the movie wrapped, Jenny Slate published a book, and Blake went on Instagram raving about it. I’m sure you could still find the post. And Ryan did that mock take down of Brandon who played Atlas, pretended to be jealous. He even got his mom to join the bit. I’m sorry, but if you’re an actor trying to build a career, it certainly would help to have a video going viral of you having playful banter with Ryan Reynolds.

It seems like the cast was fine with Justin and they chose sides based on Blake and Ryan’s power. If not, somebody needs to show that there were other problems on set. I’ve seen none of that and it’s been a month.

Why would you be shocked to see them there when obviously different people have different reactions? Was Isabel the other person who felt uncomfortable around him? Before all od this even came out extras had already said was a toxic set. Justin played a part in that by having an inappropriate relationship with Blake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a case like this, would they be able to get things like texts Blake sent to cast members or RR?

Yes. The can during disocvery

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:After reading both, I believe Blake far more than Justin. All his allegations were vague and non specific and all the writer did was try to use very dramatic language to make the points without specifics. There were so many contradictions and repetitive aspects, someone was being paid by the page as that could have been written in about 20 pages. He comes across as really whiny and his version of events lacks common sense. Blake’s was fare more coherent and believable. And that PR team is a car crash. Ridiculous she used her private phone for work as a PR person!!

I couldn't get past the first few pages it was so melodramatic with no substance. Who wrote this?

Its a PR war. There was so many unnecessary tidbits like Blake knowing his tea ( a hot matcha, that's not a complex order Justin).

That’s how I found it too. Very dramatic with few actual claims and so many contradictions. I read it before looking on here and surprised people thought his was stronger etc. I found it to be quite weak.

I mentioned earlier that I sided with Justin, but I don’t think the complaint is a strong legal document (I feel like it’s everything they tell you not to do). I can only assume it was devised as a tool to get people to read their text conversations and paint JB as a professional who was just trying to get this movie made (as opposed to some sexually harassing creep). If you want to read a ton of Justin bashing, head over to Reddit. It’s just brutal over there. Probably a lot of TS angry fans.

As far as some of her allegations about procedural failures (nudity rider, intimacy coordinator), we’ll have to see. Everything else is just kind of a distraction at this point. And as PP said, it’s PR management.

And, as a disclaimer, I’ve always felt like she sounds like someone who got mad about something and then went scorched earth (not someone who was victimized and afraid). (Imagine if the interviewer (or Seth Myers) hadn’t congratulated her bump but instead asked her about her weight, and then implied they didn’t love her edit of the film! She’s clearly no shrinking violet as she feigns.) Anyway, if she goes home upset to her husband, and she’s good at playing the victim and he’s the overprotective type, the two of them might have convinced themselves he’s a dirtbag who needs to be put in his place and who they need to protect other women from. I just don’t see it, though. The texts do just show a person who’s just trying to get this movie made with as little drama as possible.

I thought the same thing after reading Justin's lawsuit. He has evidence she wasn't telling the truth and that should've been the focus. Instead this was an overly reactionary piece that wasn't needed. For me it left more questions about the missing pieces. While she was overbearing from the start, I thought she was also much nicer and insecure then he had lead on. I wonder what happened because I don't believe she signed on intentionally wanted to steal the movie, but she went scorched earth as well. Maybe Ryan got in her ear. Told her it was her movie and she needed to transform to a dragon

You didn’t read the whole thing I bet. you read the introduction.

In very high profile cases like this, the introduction is written precisely to be the source of media quotes and for the lay public. The factual allegations are spelled out in the body of the complaint. I barely read more than 1/4 of the complaint, but even that portion was packed with factual allegations supportable by documentary evidence that fully rebutted Blake’s claims.

I am curious about the list of what you consider factual allegations with documentary evidence that fully rebutt Blake's claim? I didn't see that in there at all.

Do, but pretty much the entire complaint. You either didn’t read it, or are a Blake supporter in denial.

+1. the OB scene and “fat shaming” are two bigs ones rebutted by Baldoni. The intimacy coordination issue is a little harder to track, but Baldoni’s complaint casts a lot of doubt on the narrative that there was no intimacy coordination. Especially the part where Blake was refusing to meet with the intimacy coordinator, putting Baldoni in the position of having to relay what she said to Lively, then practice the scenes in Blake’s home with Ryan coming in and out. so in effect it was Blake making Baldoni uncomfortable by refusing to use the IC as intended…

The OB scene was not proven with evidence. Justin just gave his own version of events - now ee have two versions. Neiter are facts and niether have evidence. The fat shaming one may still be out of context - who knows or if there was other comments made. Just because it is in a complaint doesn't make it fact and the complaint itself isn't evidence.

Thanks babe, we are all lawyers here and know the difference between an allegation at the complaint and answer stage and a fact as determined by a finder of fact.

The person who gave the OB scene as an example of factual evidence clearly wasn't aware. And likely neither you nor most on are here lawyers. Look how many thought the Baldoni complaint was strong. It was a rambling mess.

“factual allegations supportable by documentary evidence” is what I actually said about the OB scene.

No what you said was "factual allegations with documentary evidence that fully rebutt Blake's claim". So what is the documentary evidence provided that fully rebutt's Blake's claim in the obgyn scene?

he states there is film evidence and the resume of the guy she asserts is a random “friend” is public record. But yes they are ALLEGATIONS (as I clearly said) which would only be determined in the legal context by a finder of fact.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:After reading both, I believe Blake far more than Justin. All his allegations were vague and non specific and all the writer did was try to use very dramatic language to make the points without specifics. There were so many contradictions and repetitive aspects, someone was being paid by the page as that could have been written in about 20 pages. He comes across as really whiny and his version of events lacks common sense. Blake’s was fare more coherent and believable. And that PR team is a car crash. Ridiculous she used her private phone for work as a PR person!!

I couldn't get past the first few pages it was so melodramatic with no substance. Who wrote this?

Its a PR war. There was so many unnecessary tidbits like Blake knowing his tea ( a hot matcha, that's not a complex order Justin).

That’s how I found it too. Very dramatic with few actual claims and so many contradictions. I read it before looking on here and surprised people thought his was stronger etc. I found it to be quite weak.

I mentioned earlier that I sided with Justin, but I don’t think the complaint is a strong legal document (I feel like it’s everything they tell you not to do). I can only assume it was devised as a tool to get people to read their text conversations and paint JB as a professional who was just trying to get this movie made (as opposed to some sexually harassing creep). If you want to read a ton of Justin bashing, head over to Reddit. It’s just brutal over there. Probably a lot of TS angry fans.

As far as some of her allegations about procedural failures (nudity rider, intimacy coordinator), we’ll have to see. Everything else is just kind of a distraction at this point. And as PP said, it’s PR management.

And, as a disclaimer, I’ve always felt like she sounds like someone who got mad about something and then went scorched earth (not someone who was victimized and afraid). (Imagine if the interviewer (or Seth Myers) hadn’t congratulated her bump but instead asked her about her weight, and then implied they didn’t love her edit of the film! She’s clearly no shrinking violet as she feigns.) Anyway, if she goes home upset to her husband, and she’s good at playing the victim and he’s the overprotective type, the two of them might have convinced themselves he’s a dirtbag who needs to be put in his place and who they need to protect other women from. I just don’t see it, though. The texts do just show a person who’s just trying to get this movie made with as little drama as possible.

I thought the same thing after reading Justin's lawsuit. He has evidence she wasn't telling the truth and that should've been the focus. Instead this was an overly reactionary piece that wasn't needed. For me it left more questions about the missing pieces. While she was overbearing from the start, I thought she was also much nicer and insecure then he had lead on. I wonder what happened because I don't believe she signed on intentionally wanted to steal the movie, but she went scorched earth as well. Maybe Ryan got in her ear. Told her it was her movie and she needed to transform to a dragon

You didn’t read the whole thing I bet. you read the introduction.

In very high profile cases like this, the introduction is written precisely to be the source of media quotes and for the lay public. The factual allegations are spelled out in the body of the complaint. I barely read more than 1/4 of the complaint, but even that portion was packed with factual allegations supportable by documentary evidence that fully rebutted Blake’s claims.

I am curious about the list of what you consider factual allegations with documentary evidence that fully rebutt Blake's claim? I didn't see that in there at all.

Do, but pretty much the entire complaint. You either didn’t read it, or are a Blake supporter in denial.

+1. the OB scene and “fat shaming” are two bigs ones rebutted by Baldoni. The intimacy coordination issue is a little harder to track, but Baldoni’s complaint casts a lot of doubt on the narrative that there was no intimacy coordination. Especially the part where Blake was refusing to meet with the intimacy coordinator, putting Baldoni in the position of having to relay what she said to Lively, then practice the scenes in Blake’s home with Ryan coming in and out. so in effect it was Blake making Baldoni uncomfortable by refusing to use the IC as intended…

The OB scene was not proven with evidence. Justin just gave his own version of events - now ee have two versions. Neiter are facts and niether have evidence. The fat shaming one may still be out of context - who knows or if there was other comments made. Just because it is in a complaint doesn't make it fact and the complaint itself isn't evidence.

Thanks babe, we are all lawyers here and know the difference between an allegation at the complaint and answer stage and a fact as determined by a finder of fact.

The person who gave the OB scene as an example of factual evidence clearly wasn't aware. And likely neither you nor most on are here lawyers. Look how many thought the Baldoni complaint was strong. It was a rambling mess.

maybe it was a strong rambling mess.

Blake said she was wearing a thin strip of material covering her genitals, Justin said she was wearing briefs. That isn't a gotcha moment that proves Blake was lying. I don't know what she was wearing, what exactly Justin's definitions of briefs are, how covered Blake felt or what exactly constitutes a thin strip of material. Briefs are underwear, I certainly have underwear that I would describe as not much more than a thin strip of material. If I was just in underwear and someone was up between my legs, I would probably descibe it the same ways as only having a thin strip of material between us.

As for the friend. Yes, his friend ended up in the Obgyn role. Yes his friend has done bit parts of acting in the past. Did his friend audition and try out for and get this role based on his acting merits? Who hired the friend? Did the friend hang out on the set on other days or only show up for his professional contracted onligations that he was hired to do? Or did Justin offer his friend a role in the movie given maybe he thought saying he was in a scene with Blake would help his career? And if that was the case, given Justin's porn addiction, it doesn't seem coincidental that he gave his friend the Obgyn role up between her legs - even if she had underwear on.

The point is - these descriptions by Justin are not documented proof that Blake was lying. I don't know if she was or she wasn't - but Justin's complaint didn't clear that up either.

He was a professional actor, with a masters degree in theater, who toured with a British theater company for decades, and yes, his bit parts are consistent, he’s worked as an actor for decades and been on dozens and dozens and dozens of sets. Bit parts like this are literally what he does for a living. His resume is very clear that it was perfectly appropriate to cast him in this role. 100 other people have previously done the same thing, but Justin’s in the wrong?

I absolutely don’t believe that he got off on being anywhere near Blake - he was doing his job. She sounds like a complete psycho.

Where do you get that he has worked consistently as an actor and been on dozens and dozens and dozens of sets?

According to IMDB he has been on
It Ends with Us (2024)
A podcast called Dark Air with Terry Carnation (2021)
The Last ship (one episode) (2016)
Castle (one episode) 2015
One episode appearances on four different shows in 2014
One episode apperances on two different shows in 2013
One episode apperance in 2012
One voice over role in 2010.

His own resume only lists 8 of these film/ tv appearances so he has been (in most cases very briefly with bit parts in one epsiode) on less than a dozen movie or tv sets in his lifetime. The last time before It Ends with Us as in 2016 on a tv set and he has only ever been on one movie set before. His resume lists a dozen or so theatre shows he has been in and two off broadway plays.

If Blake's claim is truthful, Justin introduced Adam as his best friend. They come from the same church so I doubt their friendship is falsified. As you saw from my post, there are a lot of possibilities as to how and why he ended up in this movie and in this scene.

you mean where you posited that it was some kind of involuntary porn show because Justin was addicted to porn and wanted to put on a show for his friend? GTFO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve said it before and I will repeat it again, Isabel, who played young Lily - her texts to Justin really hurts blakes case - she didn’t have to send them and she was over the top complementing him on how he ran the movie. I was actually shocked to see them there because it just goes against what Blake had reported.

Here’s the thing. A little after the movie wrapped, Jenny Slate published a book, and Blake went on Instagram raving about it. I’m sure you could still find the post. And Ryan did that mock take down of Brandon who played Atlas, pretended to be jealous. He even got his mom to join the bit. I’m sorry, but if you’re an actor trying to build a career, it certainly would help to have a video going viral of you having playful banter with Ryan Reynolds.

It seems like the cast was fine with Justin and they chose sides based on Blake and Ryan’s power. If not, somebody needs to show that there were other problems on set. I’ve seen none of that and it’s been a month.

100%. I thought this was really damning. If you haven't already, I encourage posters to read these texts. They are not from someone who observed any issues whatsoever on set, quite the opposite. It's worth noting this young actress also had intimate scenes which she thought Baldoni handled beautifully. I'm skeptical a sexual harasser would respect and pass over a nobody and go right after a big industry star. It's of course possible, but that would be highly unusual for an abuser.

But couldn't Isabel's texts to Justin be for precisely the same reasons you are alleging Jenny Slate backed Blake? Isabel had just filming her scenes on a fairly high profile movie and she kissed up to the director and told him how amazing he was because if he likes her it could benefit her career down the road -- he could cast her in another movie or he could recommend her to another director or his production company could produce something and think of her. Even if he was a pain to work with or handled the intimate scenes poorly, this is a very young actress in the early stages of her career and this is one of her first large-ish roles -- she would be far from the first actress to overlook questionable behavior by a director or other powerful person in order to exploit a connection for more work. Isn't that what everyone accuses Lively of having done with Weinstein?

One of my takeaways from all the correspondence in Baldoni's complaint is how freaking FAKE everyone sounds and how they are constantly all gushing over each other and telling one another how amazing they are and how important their work is. All of them. Blake, Justin, the producers at Wayfarer, even the editors Justin corresponded with when he was upset about Sony letting Lively screen her version of the movie without him. It really strikes me how the tone of everything is "we are all so amazing, this movie is so amazing, we are so important." Fake, fake, fake.

I think this aspect of Hollywood culture probably obscures a lot of what is happening. Like there is so much a$$-kissing and false intimacy in the way these people all communicate that I don't even know how you untangle that to figure out who did what to whom, or how you ever know how anyone actually feels about anything. What a nightmare. So glad I don't work in that industry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does it matter that he hired his friend for a scene, assuming he behaved professionally? That particular allegation has caused me to doubt all her allegations. I just don’t see how hiring a friend is harrassing. Especially while Blake is trotting around her dragons.

I mean we went over this when Lively's complaint came out. Individually, a lot of her allegations seem like not a big deal, but together they could be harassment. We weren't there. We don't really know what the vibe was on set and the complaints present two very different pictures. Not saying she's right or that he's wrong. But the idea that if you find one of her allegations overblown or unreasonable, it means everything in her complaint is wrong, is dramatic. Same is true for his complaint.

It's actually possible to follow this case and not choose sides.

And we told you then - 10 baseless allegations do not add up to a valid complaint. It does not work that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I’ve said it before and I will repeat it again, Isabel, who played young Lily - her texts to Justin really hurts blakes case - she didn’t have to send them and she was over the top complementing him on how he ran the movie. I was actually shocked to see them there because it just goes against what Blake had reported.

Here’s the thing. A little after the movie wrapped, Jenny Slate published a book, and Blake went on Instagram raving about it. I’m sure you could still find the post. And Ryan did that mock take down of Brandon who played Atlas, pretended to be jealous. He even got his mom to join the bit. I’m sorry, but if you’re an actor trying to build a career, it certainly would help to have a video going viral of you having playful banter with Ryan Reynolds.

It seems like the cast was fine with Justin and they chose sides based on Blake and Ryan’s power. If not, somebody needs to show that there were other problems on set. I’ve seen none of that and it’s been a month.

100%. I thought this was really damning. If you haven't already, I encourage posters to read these texts. They are not from someone who observed any issues whatsoever on set, quite the opposite. It's worth noting this young actress also had intimate scenes which she thought Baldoni handled beautifully. I'm skeptical a sexual harasser would respect and pass over a nobody and go right after a big industry star. It's of course possible, but that would be highly unusual for an abuser.

But couldn't Isabel's texts to Justin be for precisely the same reasons you are alleging Jenny Slate backed Blake? Isabel had just filming her scenes on a fairly high profile movie and she kissed up to the director and told him how amazing he was because if he likes her it could benefit her career down the road -- he could cast her in another movie or he could recommend her to another director or his production company could produce something and think of her. Even if he was a pain to work with or handled the intimate scenes poorly, this is a very young actress in the early stages of her career and this is one of her first large-ish roles -- she would be far from the first actress to overlook questionable behavior by a director or other powerful person in order to exploit a connection for more work. Isn't that what everyone accuses Lively of having done with Weinstein?

One of my takeaways from all the correspondence in Baldoni's complaint is how freaking FAKE everyone sounds and how they are constantly all gushing over each other and telling one another how amazing they are and how important their work is. All of them. Blake, Justin, the producers at Wayfarer, even the editors Justin corresponded with when he was upset about Sony letting Lively screen her version of the movie without him. It really strikes me how the tone of everything is "we are all so amazing, this movie is so amazing, we are so important." Fake, fake, fake.

I think this aspect of Hollywood culture probably obscures a lot of what is happening. Like there is so much a$$-kissing and false intimacy in the way these people all communicate that I don't even know how you untangle that to figure out who did what to whom, or how you ever know how anyone actually feels about anything. What a nightmare. So glad I don't work in that industry.

Weren’t you the intimacy coordinator contract reviewer? And once again, arguing for Blake (but definitely not a shill!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, the smear campaign, coordinated or not, that showed past clips of her being difficult, smug, a jerk etc. maybe they coordinated the digging up of those clips, but she was rude in all those clips and that is on her. She seems entitled and difficult and has a shit ton of power over other due to her status and wealth as Ryan Reynolds wife.

I totally think Lively's PR troubles over the summer were self-inflicted. Even if the whole "wear your florals" thing was a Sony-imposed marketing strategy for the movie, everything else was on her. No one made her promote her hair care line and beverage on the back of a movie about domestic violence. That interview with Parker Posey is super cringey and actually happened. Her responses to questions about how DV survivors might respond to the movie or what she would say to them were just bad, like just a reflection of poor media training and lack of self awareness. Most rational people would understand that any time you, a public person who relies on public affection for you to make money, is asked about a topic as sensitive as DV, you don't crack jokes and roll your eyes. The idea that someone who has been in the industry going on 20 years wouldn't get that is a reflection of how bad Blake is at her own PR.

That said I don't know what happened on set and am withholding judgment regarding the harassment allegations. Baldoni's response certainly frames it differently, but no harm in waiting until more evidence is in to decide on that. I used to work for a women's resource center that provided counseling and support groups for survivors of sexual harassment and violence, and the truth is that it can happen to everyone. I don't really like Lively but if she was harassed on set or if that production did a poor job of handling the intimacy on set or the director and/or production mistreated actors, then that's still bad. So I'm going to hold off on conclusions there.

I think the retaliation claim is BS though. Even if Baldoni hired a PR firm and was happy to see Lively imploding in the press, that's not retaliation. That's Livley being terrible at the aspect of her job that involves getting the public to like her.