Los Angeles, California — Stephanie Jones, a veteran public relations strategist known for managing the images of high-profile clients like Tom Brady and J Balvin, finds herself embroiled in a conflicting legal situation involving actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The dispute has emerged from Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us, leading to a complex web of lawsuits and counterclaims.
In a recent legal filing aimed at dismissing Baldoni’s counterclaims, Jones and her team criticized the purported efforts by Baldoni’s camp to intimidate and deflect responsibility. They described the actions of Team Baldoni as a "blatant harassment" that should be dismissed summarily. This assertion marks a significant escalation in what has become a high-stakes legal battle scheduled for trial in March 2026.
Attorneys for Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, have stated that Lively is prepared to testify about her experiences, which include claims of harassment and subsequent retaliation. Legal representatives Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson emphasized that Lively’s court appearance is inevitable and necessary for presenting her side of the story.
While it remains uncertain whether Reynolds will testify, he is currently seeking dismissal from Baldoni’s $400 million defamation and extortion case, which also includes Lively and their publicist Leslie Slone. Lively and Reynolds are seeking to extricate themselves from the legal entanglements created by Baldoni, who continues to challenge them publicly.
Baldoni’s primary attorney, Bryan Freedman, has openly criticized Lively and her associates, alleging that they manipulated circumstances to frame Baldoni negatively. He contended that evidence revealing the contentious relationship between Lively and Baldoni is extensive and forthcoming, suggesting that Lively’s involvement has inadvertently brought more public scrutiny upon her friends.
The origins of the dispute trace back to a sexual harassment complaint filed by Lively in December, shortly followed by a New York Times exposé on the film and allegations of a smear campaign initiated by Baldoni’s team. In the ensuing legal battles, a series of incriminating text messages and correspondence between publicists have added complexity to the case.
The texts allegedly originated from the confiscated phone of Melissa Nathan, illustrating a breakdown of collaboration among the involved parties. Jones’s team asserts that Nathan’s texts were shared under a subpoena from a previously undisclosed lawsuit filed by Lively and Reynolds in late 2024.
Freedman has raised additional claims concerning Reynolds and the Walt Disney Company’s involvement, insinuating that corporate actions may have been driven by personal vendettas rather than shareholder interests. Disney has yet to respond to these serious allegations.
Amidst the legal turmoil, Lively has made more public appearances recently, seeming to regain a footing in her career. She attended events such as the SNL 50th anniversary and the TIME 100 gala, where she shared her mother’s experiences with sexual violence, resonating with broader societal issues.
Despite her success, Lively has avoided high-profile events like the Met Gala while promoting her upcoming film. She has described her year as filled with both remarkable highs and troubling lows, expressing solidarity with other women hesitant to speak out against their experiences.
As the legal proceedings advance, both parties are preparing for a battle that holds significant implications for their careers and reputations. The case highlights not only the complexities of Hollywood’s public relations landscape but also the persistent issues of harassment and retaliation that many face in the industry.