Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, isn’t holding back. After Blake Lively’s federal lawsuit against Baldoni and the explosive “New York Times” article detailing harassment allegations, Freedman is firing back at what he calls “a reckless disregard for truth.”
The Accusations
In her lawsuit, Lively accused Baldoni and others of orchestrating a calculated smear campaign to silence her and retaliate for speaking out about mistreatment on the set of “It Ends With Us”.
The lawsuit claims Baldoni’s behavior created a toxic environment, leaving her no choice but to take legal action.
Adding fuel to the fire, the “New York Times” published a damning article just days before the lawsuit, detailing sexual harassment claims against Baldoni. According to Freedman, the story relies on skewed evidence and misrepresented facts.
Freedman’s Response
Appearing on NewsNation, Freedman accused The New York Times of using selective evidence to paint Baldoni in a negative light.
“They reviewed over a thousand pages of text messages and emails, yet somehow ignored the ones that contradict their narrative,” he said. One example involves Lively’s claim that Baldoni walked in on her breastfeeding. Freedman pointed out that text messages allegedly show Lively invited Baldoni to her trailer to rehearse lines while she was pumping.
Freedman also criticized the timing of the media inquiry, stating Baldoni’s team was given less than 15 hours to respond before the story went live. “This was a calculated move to ensure we couldn’t present the full picture,” Freedman claimed.
The “New York Times” Connection
Freedman further alleged that the Times had a hand in filing the complaint against Baldoni with the Civil Rights Division. He accused the publication of coordinating with Lively’s team to amplify the allegations, a claim the Times has not publicly addressed.
What’s Next?
Freedman has vowed to release the full set of text messages and emails to provide what he calls “the real story.” He emphasized that the evidence will show a different side to the allegations. Meanwhile, Baldoni’s legal team is preparing to fight back against what they see as a coordinated attack on his reputation.
For her part, Lively remains steadfast, maintaining that her claims are truthful and that she’s standing up for fair treatment in Hollywood.
A Bigger Hollywood Problem
This drama isn’t just about Baldoni and Lively—it’s shining a light on the power dynamics and accountability issues in Hollywood. As more details emerge, it’s clear that this case could have far-reaching implications for the entertainment industry.
For now, both sides are gearing up for a legal battle that promises to keep fans and critics alike glued to the headlines.
