Blake Lively’s “friends and sisters” America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel released a statement via Instagram in support of their The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-star in the wake of Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director of It Ends With Us.
“We stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the trio wrote in a post on Instagram, noting their longtime friendship of more than 20 years. “Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.”
Her Sisterhood co-stars join It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, who spoke out in support of Lively shortly after the news of the lawsuit broke.
In Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni, whom she accuses of sexual harassment and retaliation, the actress claims “severe emotional distress” from her experience on the film. In the suit, she accuses Baldoni and his coworkers of sexual harassment and alleges that there was a coordinated effort to ruin her reputation during the film’s promotional campaign.
“Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivor stories to silence a woman who asked for safety,” the actresses’ statement continues. “The hypocrisy is astounding. We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment.”
Per Lively’s complaint, the work environment with Baldoni at the helm became so hostile that there was an emergency meeting. Lively and her team presented demands that included asking Baldoni and his team to have Baldoni not discuss his previous “pornography addiction,” sexual conquests, and the cast and crew’s genitalia, and to refrain from making sexually inappropriate additions to the script.
After Lively’s initial complaints against Baldoni and lead producer Jamey Heath, the lawsuit alleges that “a multi-tiered plan that Mr. Baldoni and his team described as ‘social manipulation’ designed to ‘destroy’ Ms. Lively’s reputation” was organized in retaliation. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman has denied the allegations against his client.
“We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others,” Ferrera, Tamblyn, and Bledel said in their statement, encouraging others to read the full legal complaint detailed in The New York Times.
Lively said in a statement to The Times, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”