Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni: The saga explained - The Global Story podcast, BBC World Service

Ever since the release last summer of her box office hit It Ends With Us, Blake Lively has been dominating gossip columns, as a reported rift with co-star Justin Baldoni became increasingly public.

Rumours and allegations followed, from sexual harassment and smear campaigns to bullying and creative sabotage. But rival lawsuits filed by the pair in recent weeks have fanned the flames, shedding new light on the covert warfare of celebrity PR in the process.

In this episode Lucy Hockings speaks with Yasmin Rufo, a BBC entertainment reporter.

00:00 Intro
00:58 Who are Lively and Baldoni?
02:56 It Ends With Us
03:34 Blake Lively lawsuit
04:57 Smear campaign allegations
06:14 Justin Baldoni lawsuit
07:15 Box office success?
08:26 At the premier
10:00 Criticism online
13:28 How does a smear campaign work?
15:42 Where are we now?
16:36 What happens next?
17:38 Golden Globes
18:24 Outro

Image credit: Reuters


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[genaharmonson]

I am disappointed how the reporting of this situation supports Blake but does not mention Justine's rebuttal of each accusation.

[elmonte-xtwd]

I Am watching from Uganda! I have been following this saga and I proudly stand with Justin Baldoni.

[MariaMunoz-rznz]

Baldoni was sent to the basement with his friends and family the day of the premiere of the movie. BL didn’t want him with the rest of the cast. Baldoni IS THE DIRECTOR of the film. Crazy, just crazy

[chll]

I knew this reporting would be incorrect as soon as she mentioned that Blake has been in many movies since Gossip Girl... Blake has had 4 children since her marriage to Ryan and there was quite a period of time after her wedding that she did not do a lot of (public) projects. If she had not been married to Ryan, she might not have been as famous or "powerful" as she is portrayed now. Moreover, the reporting is very one-sided... Where is the rebuttal by Justin (with receipts) against the allegations made by Blake and her team?

[joyous]

This is disgusting. You have completely ignored the Baldoni lawsuit, the fact that he was the director and producer, that she bullied her way unto taking over the film. Shame on the BBC.

[margievalentic]

Wow, I love how these ladies cherry picked what information would best fit their narrative similar to what the New York Times did... Very biased reporting!

[MsKenzo]

The books that they love? Blake didn’t even read it.

[charlespayne]

The massive power imbalance between Lively and Baldoni should instantly raise doubts in people's minds.
Lively is married to Ryan Reynolds who has a massive personal fortune and must have major influence in Hollywood.
Baldoni and his business partner I'd never heard of before. These two would have to incredibly foolish to harass Lively. Someone like Harvey Weinstein could get away with harassing actresses and still have Hollywood kissing his ass.
Baldoni and his partner harassing Lively? Their careers would be ruined.

[asfara]

This is such biased reporting. You barely mentioned Baldoni's claims in the NYT lawsuit but spent most of the video speaking about Blake Lively's "golden" reputation and how she was apparently "victimized". I expected more from BBC but apparently you too can be bought by Blake Lively's PR machine.

[jackiecarter]

I wish broadcasters would do their due diligence and research the whole, complete background of Justin Baldoni in as much detail as Blake Lively. The press is mischievous and itself manipulative with the facts.

[MarshaABranch]

I'm confused by this repoirting, which is GROSSLY inaccurate, and very unbecoming of the BBC. Where is the BBC getting the reporting from that many people have flipped and are supporting Blake and many others have flipped against Justin? Most people can't stand Blake Lively, even more so now, and MANY have come out in support of Baldoni, including Hollywood celebs. Not to mention all of the Americans who mentioned they first started to really dislike Lively after the comments she made about Catherine.

[emerald]

Justin Baldoni's attorney is totally delivering R E C I E P T S. Blake Lively has already exposed herself as a LIAR and a vicious mean girl time and time again. Blake Lively is a notorious husband-stealer and a nightmare to work with according to numerous co-workers and many others who've worked on the sets of her movies and television show.

I cannot forget how Blake Lively pounced her cruelty upon Catherine, Princess of Wales during the most painful and uncertain time in her life as she was undergoing major surgery, biopsies, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy to treat her cancer diagnosis.

Blake Lively later said she felt bad about her attack on the Princess, but it is disturbing to think that was her first inclination to act. She saw it as an opportunity to sharpen her mean girl fangs which she did without batting an eyelash.

[sao]

The negative press was her interviews in which she was a prick. RR has his own PR company for years now so dont tell me Justin didnt need to protect himself

[gittefeingeist]

But she was repeatedly aweful to people in various intervirews. Is Baldoni to be blamed for all of this also too?

[tamaray]

disgusted on how biased this channel is! guess Sony payed them

[three]

BL will settle if she is smart. JB was bullied and harassed.

[mjcyr]

She's a dam bully. I cannot watch anything anymore that Blake is palying in.

[realmonis]

Why is it hard to find positive comments regarding Blake Lively on social media ? Because we all looked for ourselves into the story from the start and quickly understood what the fu%$ was going on. She blackmailed and bullied her way to take over the film and destroy Justin and his Wayfarer company. She failed miserably, and will be sued along with her husband.

[nyxrobins]

The BBC's mission is set out in the Charter. The broadcaster is to “act in the public interest, serving all audiences through the provision of impartial, high-quality and distinctive output and services which inform, educate and entertain.

BBC you did not fulfill your mission statement in this report. It feels as if you have chosen a side based on most probably who is more well known and went with that versus what is right or even fair. With a rich stream of accessible content online about this story including video interviews with Justin's lawyer rebutting the accusations it makes this report questionable. At the very least BBC you should have been non biased. This kind of reporting makes people not come back.

[windspiel]

Your contribution isn‘t very balanced. There is a very good chance, she is smearing him and has a dark agenda….. take a lawyer next time who might have a better insight on what is going on and which proof is out by now.