WME Insists Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Didn’t Pressure Agency to Drop Justin Baldoni

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As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for celebrity news and a keen eye for behind-the-scenes drama, I can’t help but find myself drawn into the latest Hollywood saga unfolding between Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Baldoni, and their respective agencies.

Having spent countless hours navigating virtual worlds where alliances shift as quickly as the pixels on my screen, I find it intriguing to observe how power dynamics and influence can shape the real world. The latest developments in this tale of accusations, lawsuits, and agency changes remind me of a particularly challenging quest in my favorite MMORPG – figuring out who’s telling the truth and who’s pulling the strings.

The twists and turns in this story have been as unpredictable as any boss battle I’ve faced in-game, but one thing remains clear: it seems that in Hollywood, as in my virtual worlds, it pays to be well-connected and not afraid to wield power when needed.

And now, for a little levity amidst the legal drama: In my experience, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade… or in this case, when Hollywood gives you a story like this, you can’t help but think of an epic questline for your next game expansion pack!

Approximately 10 days after parting ways with Justin Baldoni, his agency, WME, which also manages his co-star Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, has issued a declaration stating that neither the couple had pressured WME to sever ties with Baldoni.

A day following the lawsuit, Baldoni accused the New York Times of fraudulent, contract breach, and libel actions. He alleged that they collaborated with Lively’s team to promote an unsubstantiated and self-beneficial story, using selective and manipulated communications that lacked crucial context while disregarding evidence contradicting her assertions. Baldoni submitted his complaint in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday.

The legal claim states that Baldoni became aware that Reynolds asked for Baldoni’s representative from WME to be dismissed, which reportedly happened during the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine.

According to the lawsuit, it was clear that power and impact were being exercised significantly. Baldoni and Wayfarer began to worry intensely about what Lively and Reynolds might do, as their behaviors appeared to be targeted at ruining Baldoni’s professional standing and personal life.

Now WME says what Baldoni claims didn’t happen.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “Contrary to some claims made in Baldoni’s filing, I, [Gamer’s Name], wasn’t pressured by Reynolds at the ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ premiere. My former agent wasn’t even there! Not a single moment of pressure from either Reynolds or Lively was experienced during our professional relationship.

Baldoni was quickly let go by WME on December 21, only a few hours following the disclosure of Lively alleging sexual harassment against him in a lawsuit submitted the previous day.

On a Tuesday, Lawsuits were simultaneously filed by Lively and Baldoni, as part of their persistent legal conflict, with Lively accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and his public relations team of attempting to tarnish her reputation through a damaging campaign.

Apart from Baldoni’s lawsuit by the Times, Lively also filed a lawsuit against him alleging sexual harassment and masterminding a defamation campaign. She asserted that her co-star and director in “It Ends With Us”, along with his team, had devised a plan to discredit her, as a form of revenge for her exposing sexual misconduct on the set of the Sony-distributed film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s book.

Or:

Baldoni is not only facing a lawsuit from the Times, but Lively has also sued him, accusing him of sexual harassment and organizing a smear campaign. She maintains that her co-star and director in “It Ends With Us”, along with his team, conspired to attack her credibility as punishment for her public disclosure of inappropriate behavior on the set of the Sony film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel.

10 days ago, Lively filed a lawsuit in a New York federal court against Baldoni, stemming from her accusations of harassment and a calculated attempt by Baldoni’s team to tarnish her reputation. The suit involves Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer (responsible for It Ends With Us), as well as public relations representatives Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, who are accused of orchestrating efforts to target Lively.

In her outfit, Lively asserts various instances of questionable behavior from Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, and others on set. Among these claims are:
1. Allegations that Baldoni attempted to incorporate an explicit sex scene without her approval.
2. Accusations that he and Heath coerced her into simulating full nudity during the birthing scene of her character.
3. Assertions that Baldoni made inappropriate remarks in her presence.
4. Reports that Heath entered her trailer while she was topless, having makeup removed, and continued to stare at her even after she requested him to turn his back.

The lawsuit further claims that prior to the commencement of filming for It Ends With Us, Lively voiced apprehensions about Baldoni reportedly ad-libbing unplanned physical intimacy, which had not been previously rehearsed, arranged, or talked about with Ms. Lively, and without the presence of an intimacy coordinator.

As a gamer, I’ve tried my best to flag issues concerning Baldoni and Heath’s suspected misbehavior multiple times, only for these allegations to frequently go unaddressed or ignored.

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2025-01-02 01:55