Production banner Sony Pictures and American labour union SAG-AFTRA have extended their support to Hollywood actress Blake Lively after she leveled sexual misconduct allegations against her It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
Lively recently filed a complaint accusing Baldoni of fostering a toxic work environment and attempting to damage her reputation through an orchestrated smear campaign.
“We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today,” a Sony Pictures Entertainment spokesperson told Variety. “Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.”
The allegations, which were first reported by The New York Times over the weekend, detail Lively’s claims that Baldoni's behaviour caused her and her family “severe emotional harm”. Lively also alleged that Baldoni engaged in a social media smear campaign aimed at tarnishing her public image.
Sony’s statement comes amidst a growing wave of support for Lively, including from her co-stars and prominent figures in Hollywood. Brandon Sklenar, Lively’s co-star in It Ends With Us, shared the complaint on his Instagram story, urging followers to read it and tagging Lively alongside a red heart emoji.
“These are startling and troubling allegations,” the SAG-AFTRA said in a statement to the American media. “Employees have every right to raise issues of concern or to file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong. We applaud Blake Lively’s courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content. This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set.”
In addition to support from her co-stars, Man Enough podcast host Liz Plank, who worked with Baldoni, announced her departure from the show on Monday. “I will miss you, I will be sharing more soon, I appreciate your compassion and patience,” she wrote on social media. “I hope this comment section can be a place of support, respect and kindness, a reflection of the community we’ve built together. ❤️”.
Colleen Hoover, author of It Ends With Us, also voiced her support for Lively, posting a photo of herself hugging the actress with the caption: “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive, and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Lively’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars — America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel — have also rallied behind her, as have director Paul Feig and actress Amber Heard.