The legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken a new twist after PR executive Stephanie Jones, targeted tech companies for information related to the alleged smear campain controversy.
What began as a write-up raising allegations of sexual harassment and an alleged online smear campaign, quickly spiralled into the filing of a lawsuit and counter-lawsuit and now given way to another key figure outside the direct dispute stepping in to file a new suit. Jones filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, Crisis PR head Melissa Nathan, Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios, and publicist Jennifer Abel for defamation and breach of contract. She has now issued third-party subpoenas to several tech companies, including WhatsApp, Signal, Hostinger, Namecheap, AnyFlip, and Gab AI, aiming to uncover details about anonymous websites and posts allegedly involved in the smear campaign.
Jones claims she was unaware of the friction between director Baldoni and the lead actress Lively during the production of ‘It Ends With Us’. She also claims that she was unaware of any alleged plan to tarnish the actress’ reputation if sensitive information about Baldoni surfaced.Abel, who left Jonesworks and took clients like Baldoni with her, has countered these claims, accusing Jones of providing “cherry-picked” text messages and communications to Lively’s legal team. These messages form the core of Lively’s high-profile legal complaints filed in late December against Baldoni, Nathan, Abel, and others.
Jones maintains that any materials provided to Lively’s team were obtained through court-ordered subpoenas, not personal vendettas.
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s attorney, who recently appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show and NewsNation, has vowed to pursue legal action against Lively and others involved. He hinted at broadening the scope of the lawsuit, even mentioning potential action against Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds.
With high-profile names and over $250 million at stake, the case shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, with both parties reportedly keen to go to trial with the matter.
