By Variety | Created at 2024-12-24 00:20:05 | Updated at 2024-12-26 21:28:45
2 days ago
Justin Baldoni was honored earlier this month by Vital Voices, a non-profit working with female business leaders, for his “vital role as a male [ally]” to women and using “his platform to inspire meaningful societal change.” The organization rescinded the Voices of Solidarity Award on Monday after Blake Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against the “It Ends With Us” director.
“The Voices of Solidarity Award honors remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls. On Dec. 9, 2024, we recognized Justin Baldoni with this award. On Saturday, Dec. 21, we learned through news reports about a lawsuit brought by Blake Lively against Mr. Baldoni, his publicists, and others that is disturbing and alleges abhorrent conduct,” Vital Voices said in a statement on its website. “The communications among Mr. Baldoni and his publicists included in the lawsuit — and the PR effort they indicate — are, alone, contrary to the values of Vital Voices and the spirit of the Award. We have notified Mr. Baldoni that we have rescinded this award.”
On Saturday, the New York Times reported that Lively filed a complaint that accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, fostering a toxic work environment and trying to tarnish her reputation with a targeted smear campaign on social media. Lively alleges that Baldoni’s behavior caused her and her family “severe emotional harm.” Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman called Lively’s complaint “shameful” and full of “categorically false accusations.”
During the “It Ends With Us” press tour, rumors were rampant that Lively and Baldoni didn’t get along on set as the two leads of the film didn’t do press together and steered clear of each other at the New York City premiere. Lively faced a wave of online criticism ahead of the movie’s theatrical release for downplaying the domestic violence storyline (she plays a florist who finds herself in an abusive relationship) and using the media coverage to promote her new haircare line. “It Ends With Us” became a huge box office hit for Sony, earning $350 million at the worldwide box office against a $25 million budget.
In wake of the lawsuit, famous faces such as Amy Schumer and Lively’s “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” co-stars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel have spoken out in support of Lively. Colleen Hoover, the author of “It Ends With Us,” also praised Lively for going public with allegations against Baldoni. “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Hoover wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
