Blake Lively’s PR Rep Moves to Dismiss Justin Baldoni Lawsuit

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Blake Lively’s spokesperson is suggesting that she should not be involved in the dispute between the actress and Justin Baldoni, as there is no evidence to suggest that she has spoken ill of the director of “It Ends With Us.

In a court filing made on Thursday in New York’s federal court, Leslie Sloane of Vision PR contends that the supposedly false claims mentioned in Baldoni’s lawsuit constitute opinions which are not subject to defamation charges. Furthermore, she presents an argument suggesting that most of these assertions are substantially accurate, given the lack of a clear denial from Baldoni concerning any sexual assault allegations against Lively.

According to Sloane’s perspective, Baldoni isn’t outright denying the bulk of the misconduct he’s been accused of, but rather attempting to provide context for his actions. She suggests that she was drawn into the intersecting lawsuits as a tactic to create a smokescreen, intended to divert attention away from their own alleged sexual harassment and systematic retaliation.

Baldoni has repeatedly refuted all the claims made in Lively’s lawsuit, including those alleging sexual assault. He alleges that Sloane is masterminding a defamation campaign to depict him as a sexual offender by implanting untrue stories, primarily in the Daily Mail.

One reason the high-profile dispute has captured so much attention in Hollywood is the involvement of public relations firms, which are usually operating from behind the scenes.

Sloane’s assertions, which claim that the entire cast dislikes Justin, hates him, and that Blake was sexually assaulted, were statements expressing concern about defamation. These comments were made as a reaction to an inquiry from the press regarding a story she claims Baldoni’s team spread earlier, suggesting issues with Lively on the set of the movie.

Sloane contends that the initial two statements are “exaggerated personal opinions” which can’t be verified as accurate or inaccurate, making them unsuitable for a defamation lawsuit.

In Sigrid McCawley’s legal filing, she explains that the claim ‘Blake was sexually assaulted,’ when considered within the context it was presented, is an unactionable opinion rather than a factual statement. This assertion, she clarifies, originates from the Daily Mail reporter’s interpretation of details in Lively’s complaint to the California Civil Rights Department, not anything that Ms. Sloane allegedly said herself.

Sloane maintains that Baldoni’s court statements hold substantial truth, not just opinions. She provides evidence from Baldoni’s lawsuit, stating that the cast avoided the director and even threatened not to attend the premiere if he was there, due to their alliance with Lively.

The filing states that the Wayfarer Parties do not refute the truth of Blake being sexually assaulted. For example, Ms. Lively claims that Baldoni performed unwanted sexual contact, such as biting and sucking on her lower lip during a scene where he improvised multiple kisses on each take. The Wayfarer Parties do not specifically deny this behavior, instead, they argue that Baldoni did not require permission to improvise because he was in character and this conduct was allegedly acceptable on the show ‘Jane the Virgin.’ In simpler terms, the Wayfarer Parties are not denying the actions Ms. Lively described as sexual assault, but rather arguing that these acts were part of the script or acceptable within the context of the show.

In their argument, Sloane’s lawyers might delve into the judicial interpretation of what constitutes sexual assault. They argue that Baldoni’s inappropriate sexual behavior fits within New York’s understanding of this term. They reference a previous court case where a person touching a coworker’s foot and giving her an unwanted hug from behind was deemed enough to claim “forcible touching.

Sloane’s main points for seeking legal fees from Baldoni, based on a New York law allowing for early dismissal of lawsuits meant to suppress free speech, center around the director’s failure to provide evidence of actual malice. This is a crucial element when a public figure like the director brings a defamation claim. It necessitates proof that the accused intentionally made false statements or was aware they could be untrue and didn’t care about their truthfulness.

After Rebecca Lively submitted an amended lawsuit against Baldoni, Sloane chose to step away from the case. In her revised lawsuit, Lively claims that two other actresses on set are ready to testify about their own discomfort with Baldoni. According to sources, these actresses are Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer. Jenny Slate is a seasoned comic and actress, recognized for her roles in ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. At the time of filming, Isabela Ferrer was a newcomer to the industry and portrayed a younger version of Lively’s character, who was only about 23 years old.

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2025-02-20 23:25