The drama surrounding Justin Baldoni has reached a boiling point. On Tuesday, the actor-director and his team faced fresh accusations. Former publicist Stephanie Jones, owner of PR firm Jonesworks, dropped a lawsuit packed with shocking claims. She says Baldoni and his associates launched a smear campaign against actress Blake Lively—and even targeted her personally.
What Went Down
Jones filed the explosive lawsuit in a New York court. She named Baldoni, his company Wayfarer Studios, publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, and others as defendants. Her allegations include breach of contract, defamation, and a slew of dirty tactics.
This lawsuit follows Lively’s own legal complaint. The actress accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of It Ends With Us. She even provided text messages allegedly sent by Baldoni’s team to discredit her claims. Those messages, Jones claims, are just the tip of the iceberg.
The Dirty Details
Jones’ suit paints a grim picture. Abel and Nathan allegedly conspired against Jones. Abel, who worked at Jonesworks, was fired after stealing proprietary client info. She then launched her own PR firm, taking Baldoni as a client—an alleged breach of contracts with Jonesworks. Jones claims this wasn’t just business but a calculated attack.
Even worse, Jones says she distanced herself from Abel and Nathan’s methods. They allegedly waged a smear campaign against Lively, but Jones opposed their tactics. She claims she pushed for a more ethical approach. Yet Abel and Nathan reportedly continued plotting behind the scenes.
Baldoni’s Defense
Justin Baldoni isn’t staying silent. His lawyer, Bryan Freedman, fiercely denies the allegations. He called Lively’s claims “false” and accused her of trying to hurt Baldoni’s career. Abel also denied any wrongdoing, claiming her text messages were “cherry-picked” and taken out of context. She insists no smear campaign ever existed.
Abel added that Lively’s team had allegedly planted negative stories about Baldoni to manipulate him during the film’s promotion. She says she simply stood by Baldoni, a man she believes has “a wonderful community and team” around him.
Legal Battle Ahead
Jones’ lawsuit demands a jury trial and damages. She accuses Abel and Baldoni of breaching contracts and defamation. The suit also alleges the creation of fake websites to ruin Jones’ reputation. Additionally, Jones claims Abel spread false rumors within her company, causing other employees to leave.
Meanwhile, Lively’s complaint against Baldoni hasn’t officially hit the courts. It’s currently with the California Civil Rights Department, awaiting a “right to sue” notice. Until then, the timeline for her case remains unclear.
What’s Next?
The big question is whether Baldoni or Abel will hit back with their own lawsuits. Freedman has hinted at legal action, claiming Jones improperly obtained confidential information. He alleges Jonesworks confiscated Abel’s phone and used its data against Baldoni. However, Jonesworks maintains the messages came from Abel’s work phone, which she voluntarily returned after leaving the company.
This legal mess is far from over. Both sides seem ready to dig in for a prolonged fight. The stakes are high, with reputations and careers on the line.
Behind the Text Messages
Text messages play a crucial role in these lawsuits. Jones’ filing reveals private chats between Abel and Nathan. These texts show their apparent dislike for Baldoni and detail plans to harm Jones’ reputation. Abel called Baldoni “self-absorbed” and said he needed to be “humbled.” Nathan reportedly encouraged Baldoni to drop Jonesworks and join Abel’s new firm.
The texts also suggest Abel and Nathan fed negative stories to journalists. At one point, Nathan joked about telling Jones directly about their smear campaign. These messages provide a glimpse into the alleged backstabbing behind the scenes.
Lively’s Allegations
Blake Lively’s complaint adds another layer to this drama. She accuses Baldoni of inappropriate behavior during the It Ends With Us shoot. According to her, Baldoni pressured her for personal details, ignored industry protocols, and made uncomfortable comments. Other cast and crew members reportedly witnessed this behavior.
Fans had already speculated about tension between Lively and Baldoni. The two avoided joint appearances during the film’s press tour. Social media buzzed with rumors of a falling-out. Lively faced criticism for downplaying domestic violence, a central theme of the film, while promoting it. Baldoni, meanwhile, hired Nathan’s crisis PR firm, fueling even more rumors.
How Did They Get the Texts?
One mystery surrounds how Lively’s team obtained Baldoni’s text messages. Normally, such evidence emerges during the discovery phase of a lawsuit. In this case, Jonesworks reportedly turned over the messages. They came from Abel’s work phone, which she returned after leaving the company. Jones insists the texts were not altered in any way.
The Fallout
This scandal has shaken Hollywood. The accusations against Baldoni, Abel, and Nathan have exposed the darker side of PR and celebrity management. Meanwhile, Jones’ lawsuit highlights the cutthroat nature of the industry. Allegations of stolen clients, planted stories, and personal vendettas dominate the headlines.
As these cases unfold, the entertainment world watches closely. The outcomes could have far-reaching implications for everyone involved. Will Baldoni and his team weather the storm? Or will the mounting evidence prove too damaging?
One thing’s for sure—this drama isn’t going away anytime soon. Stay tuned for more updates on this Hollywood showdown.
