Prior to Colleen Hoover’s controversial book It Ends With Us hitting the big screen, the film was already facing significant challenges amid various controversies.
However, the drama didn’t end with the film’s release; in fact, it seemed to escalate.
During the August press tour, fans noticed that co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni were not appearing together, and many of the cast and crew were not following Justin on social media.
Following the movie’s release on August 9, 2024, fans started criticizing Blake for some rude and passive-aggressive comments she had made in the past.
But nothing could have prepared fans for what unfolded next: Blake accused Justin of sexually harassing her and subsequently filed a lawsuit against him. So what exactly happened? Here’s why Blake Lively is suing Justin Baldoni and how it connects to a concept known as “astroturfing.”
Why Blake Lively is suing Justin Baldoni
According to documents obtained by The New York Times, the lawsuit accuses Justin of sexual harassment and attempting to damage Blake’s reputation through a process known as astroturfing.
While some details about Justin’s actions are being kept confidential, the lawsuit outlines specific incidents.
At one point, Blake reportedly tried to address her concerns with the production team, providing them with a list of demands regarding Justin’s behavior to help resolve the situation.
These demands included: – No mention of Justin’s alleged “pornography addiction.” – No displaying nude content to Blake. – No discussions about the cast and crew’s genitalia. – No more questions regarding Blake’s weight or conversations about her deceased father. – No more talking about “sexual conquests” in Blake’s presence. – No filming of sex or intimate scenes with Blake outside the scope of the script she approved when signing onto the project.
The lawsuit claims that Justin both sexually harassed her and sought to undermine her reputation through astroturfing.
What is Astroturfing?
Astroturfing refers to the practice of orchestrating an information campaign to shift public attention and influence opinion.
In this situation, Blake claims that the negative publicity she faced after the film’s release stems from a deliberate effort by Justin and his team to tarnish her reputation, framing it as if she was being publicly canceled for her past actions.
The lawsuit alleges that Justin manipulated his fans against Blake by strategically leaking sensational bits of information and then creating a seemingly spontaneous public reaction to them.
Justin’s team, however, has denied these allegations, calling them “categorically false.” It’ll be fascinating to see how this case unfolds in the upcoming weeks and months.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
When she’s not writing, Olekanma enjoys immersing herself in a good book, exploring new cuisines, and discovering new cultures.