Blake Lively’s legal team has reportedly uncovered text messages from Justin Baldoni’s PR team, which they claim are evidence of a coordinated smear campaign against the actress.
These developments, reported by the Daily Mail, have drawn significant attention due to the messages being allegedly obtained without any formal lawsuit currently filed.
According to Blake Lively’s attorneys, further details regarding her investigation, including the use of a lawful subpoena, will emerge during the discovery process.
These text messages were first highlighted in Blake Lively’s recent legal complaint, where she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and fostering a toxic work environment during the production of their film It Ends With Us. Baldoni has categorically denied all allegations.
The allegations extend beyond Baldoni to his company, Wayfarer Studios, and PR professionals Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel. These individuals are also implicated in a separate lawsuit filed by Stephanie Jones, head of Jonesworks PR, who accuses them of defamation and breach of contract.
Blake Lively’s legal team asserts that the disclosed text messages reveal a deliberate strategy described by Baldoni’s team as “social manipulation” intended to tarnish her reputation.
While no lawsuit has been filed against Baldoni yet, legal experts speculate that Lively’s civil rights complaint may be a precursor to formal legal action.
The use of the subpoena in this matter has raised eyebrows among legal analysts. Some believe the subpoena may have been a “friendly subpoena,” a tactic allowing one party to provide records while maintaining the appearance of court-mandated compliance.
James Spertus, a former federal prosecutor, told the LA Times that the subpoena was likely issued in a separate case but later leveraged in this one.
Regardless of the subpoena’s origin, the text messages have been disclosed by both Lively and Jones. The revelations mark a critical juncture in the escalating legal drama, leaving the entertainment industry and legal observers closely monitoring further developments.