Ari Emanuel Defends Blake Lively in Legal Battle with Justin Baldoni
Power broker and star agent Ari Emanuel has come out strongly in support of Blake Lively in her ongoing legal and reputational battle against her It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
Emanuel Weighs In on the Controversy
Emanuel’s strong stance was revealed during an interview with Stephen Dubner at the Freakonomics Radio Live show held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday night. In the interview, he described the situation involving Baldoni as "a fucked up, bad situation."
"Until I fired him"—Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, stated regarding his decision to terminate Baldoni’s employment with the agency. "It’s not really fair."
He continued, emphasizing his long-standing relationship with both Blake and Lively’s co-star Ryan Reynolds, dating back over a decade. "They’re good people. In Hollywood, they’ve always conducted themselves well—no bad press."
Baldoni and Lively: Two Sides of the Story
Lively has filed a lawsuit claiming that Baldoni, director Jamey Heath, and Heath’s crisis management company engaged in a smear campaign against her during the It Ends With Us publicity phase. This includes alleged harassment and a lack of protection on set.
Baldoni’s team, however, has claimed that Lively’s negative public image was largely self-created and that no harmful stories were planted by their team.
With the stakes so high, social media has become a critical battleground in the war between Lively and Baldoni. "Social media can ruin lives, and it’s being used here as a weapon." Emanuel argues. "Those involved must stop. Let things be judged based on facts, not harassment."
Previous History and Agency Firing
In December, WME terminated its representation of Baldoni after Lively filed her complaint against him. Baldoni maintains that Reynolds pressured the agency to fire him, a claim which WME denies.
WME highlighted in a statement, "In Baldoni’s filing, there is a claim that Reynolds pressured Baldoni’s agent at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere. This is not true. Baldoni’s former representative was not at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere nor was there any pressure from Reynolds or Lively at any time to drop Baldoni as a client."
Legal Consequences and Future
Both parties have filed lawsuits, and a trial is anticipated for next year. The contentious issue has raised questions about the responsibilities of production companies, management, and individuals in high-profile Hollywood productions.
Emanuel’s open support for Lively and Reynolds is a reflection of his long-standing respect for their integrity and contributions to the film industry.
"They are good people," he reiterates. "Billions of people worldwide know them for the positive work they do." This sentiment emphasizes the broader impact of the dispute and the public’s trust in these celebrities.
Baldoni’s Response to the allegations
On Friday, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, responded to Emanuel’s comments, suggesting that a more neutral perspective might have been possible if Emanuel had ever worked with Baldoni. His response aimed to highlight the differences in opinion within the Hollywood community regarding the validity of the claims.
Conclusion
The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni remains a contentious and complex issue in the film industry. Ari Emanuel’s support for his clients emphasizes the importance of protection, fair treatment, and professional conduct in the high-pressure world of Hollywood.
With the trial on the horizon, the public will have to wait to see how the allegations play out. In the meantime, the debate continues, with opinions divided on the true nature of the events that transpired during the production of It Ends With Us.
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