These People Are Exhausting: Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s Struggle for Control

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“We need to the control the narrative,” famously declared Kendall Roy in HBO’s Succession. 

Over the course of four distinct seasons, the oldest son of the Roy family, who was known for his anxious tendencies, fiercely fought for power; he plotted and maneuvered, but all his complex strategies to seize control of his father’s company, Waystar, crumbled, while Kendall’s standing among others suffered significantly.

The ongoing dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, concerning their collaboration on the film adaptation of It Ends with Us, mirrors a typical Hollywood saga, as each party seems to be embodying more and more of the enigmatic Kendall Roy-like characters. Here, Waystar is replaced by Baldoni’s actual production company, Wayfarer.

Have you read the lawsuits instead of just the press coverage? 

Reading through Lively’s 80-page complaint gives the impression that Baldoni might not genuinely support women’s rights, as he allegedly made inappropriate comments, forced his co-star into uncomfortable situations without consent, and then orchestrated a strategic smear campaign on social media against Lively for voicing her concerns. The abundance of suspicious behavior, corroborated by numerous other individuals who will likely be called to testify, makes it difficult to think that there isn’t some truth to these allegations.

Reading only Baldoni’s 224-page amended complaint might lead you to believe that Lively is a domineering star, working in collaboration with her husband Ryan Reynolds, who fabricated a series of harassment complaints out of context. The intention was to take control of a film, make Reynolds sign a 30-point confession, and then react excessively to social media criticism by passing on her accusations to The New York Times. Some of Lively’s statements have been challenged with supposed additional texts, making it appear likely that she has exaggerated or misrepresented at least some of her claims.

Reading through both lawsuits, I’ve come to the realization that Hollywood might not be the place for me. Instead, I’d rather consider careers with less deceit, such as operating heavy machinery or underwater welding. The overwhelming feeling one gets is a tiresome insincerity among a multitude of damaged doll-like characters who resort to intricate schemes to achieve their goals, rather than choosing the straightforward path of honesty, respect, and authenticity. When discussions veer towards “astroturfing” and “erasing emojis from leaked messages,” it’s clear that something has gone awry.

It’s important not to judge both parties in the same way. In the court filings, Lively appears as if he might threaten a nuclear attack over a restaurant seating issue, while Baldoni seems as though he could cry upon receiving negative feedback about an unsolicited photo. However, these portrayals are likely far from the truth. Instead, their seemingly incompatible behaviors create an intriguing contrast, like an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.

At this point, it’s premature to make any judgments about the legitimacy of their grievances, as there’s still a considerable amount of legal proceedings left to unfold. It’s akin to teenage Marvin in the backseat of the car from “Pulp Fiction,” who during an argument between Jules and Vincent, simply didn’t have an opinion to offer.

delving into certain allegations feels like peeling layers of a shifting narrative, some parts seemingly irrelevant while others could be game-changers (and there’s no telling what other twists might arise). A dance scene shared by Baldoni’s team has transformed simple 9 minutes of video into a real-life Rashomon. Listening to Baldoni’s lengthy apology voicemail to Lively has almost turned into a viral TikTok trend, with everyone trying to decode his every word.

As a passionate follower, I’ve noticed that online opinion, especially regarding Baldoni and Depp vs. Heard, has been like a swaying pendulum. Lately, it seems to have swung in Baldoni’s favor, much like how Depp was favored over Heard during their 2022 defamation trial. The court filings paint Baldoni as an overly sensitive individual, while Heard, unfortunately or not, is perceived as a bully. It appears that an accused harasser in the workplace does not elicit the same strong response from social media as a woman labeled as a ‘mean girl’.

There have been numerous instances of inadvertent humor. Reportedly, Lively attempted to persuade Baldoni to accept a scene rewrite by involving Reynolds and Taylor Swift, while allegedly implying a threat by comparing herself to Daenerys Targaryen (though Emilia Clarke was the one given directions). Some of Lively’s grievances to Wayfarer and Sony involved accusing Baldoni of mistreating Lively’s staff, crying over unfavorable paparazzi photos of her, and claiming to communicate with her deceased father (which, if Nicepool had done, would have been considered excessively dramatic).

It’s worth considering if there might be reasons, from either party, to take drastic actions: Either negotiating a resolution or continuing with their ongoing lawsuits. Since mutual destruction has already taken place, there are no further criminal charges at stake. Both sides are incurring significant costs for legal representation, with slim chances of substantial returns. Each side persists because they want to punish their adversary and restore their damaged reputations.

Instead of viewing surrender as defeat, Oprah Winfrey wisely observed that it’s a moment when you acknowledge you are not in control – a position of great power. This lesson was lost on Kendall Roy. There is wisdom in stepping out from lawyers, publicists, and strategists to openly confess: I spoke the truth. I wish I had managed things differently. I no longer wish to engage with a toxic individual. I trust that justice will eventually prevail for me. In truth, this is not a race of legal maneuvers, but rather a competition to appear as a mature and responsible adult, and to safeguard future business ventures.

From my perspective as a follower, the criticism of this strategy can be traced back to the Depp vs. Heard trial, where a courtroom victory undeniably helped Depp regain some of his tarnished reputation. In the Lively vs. Baldoni case, it’s challenging to envision that a win would significantly improve either plaintiff’s image given all the public information available, but it could potentially do so.

In essence, both parties share a surprising amount in common: they’re both caught up in the fray. Lawyers are pocketing funds and attention, media outlets are gathering material, audiences are indulging in gossip to discuss and argue over it. Everyone is craving more. Nobody wants the current season of Feud: Lively vs. Baldoni to conclude prematurely. As a member of the press, I must confess that I’d love for this feud to persist indefinitely, much like how the Joker proposes to Batman at the end of The Dark Knight. However, it appears that none of this is actually benefiting Lively or Baldoni. Instead, it’s merely providing top-notch entertainment for everyone else. In other words, it’s Hollywood’s latest blockbuster hit for us spectators.

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2025-02-11 16:55