Why Justin Baldoni's Former Agency Is Urging Him To 'Just Stop' Attacking Blake Lively

Yahoo

15-02-2025

The talent agency executive who allegedly made the decision to remove from its roster believes the "It Ends with Us" director should allow the legal 'process play out' in his ongoing dispute with
Ari Emmanuel, the head of talent agency WME, confirmed that his firm dropped Baldoni as a client in December, shortly after Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him and his "It Ends with Us" co-producers.
Speaking during a live "Freakonomics" podcast appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 13, Emmanuel reaffirmed his support for Blake Lively and her husband, , amid their legal battle with Justin Baldoni.
'Social media is a really good thing at times because it lets stars connect with their fans, but these two guys used it in an evil way, if that's true,' Emmanuel said, seemingly referring to Baldoni and Jamey Heath, Baldoni's co-producer and the CEO of Wayfarer Studios. Both men were named in Lively's lawsuit, which accuses them of sexual harassment and orchestrating a coordinated online campaign to tarnish her reputation.
'We just have to be cognizant that they should no longer be out there intimidating people, using social media to try to hurt them,' Emmanuel added. 'And using what they had been doing prior to it now to go against them. They should just stop. If they think they're innocent, they should let the process play itself out.'
Emmanuel's agency represents both Lively and Reynolds, making the legal conflict even more high-profile. Baldoni's legal team previously named Reynolds in a $400 million lawsuit filed in January, accusing the couple and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, of extortion, defamation, and other claims.
Defending Lively and Reynolds, Emmanuel remarked, 'These are good people who have been in the business for decades and have never had any bad press about them. And all the people they've worked with like them.'
When asked directly about Baldoni, Emmanuel did not hesitate to confirm, 'I fired him,' adding, 'I am a ride-or-die.'
The legal dispute between Baldoni and Lively has continued to attract public scrutiny. In late January, Baldoni's attorneys launched a website titled Lawsuit Info, linking to his amended complaint filed in court on January 31.
Currently, the website features two key links: The Amended Complaint, a full legal document filed by Baldoni and his production studio against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, which outlines his allegations of defamation, extortion, and false accusations; and The Case Timeline, a chronological breakdown of key events, including when Baldoni first acquired the rights to "It Ends with Us" and the developments leading up to Lively's accusations.
Baldoni's legal team, led by renowned attorney Bryan Freedman, informed TMZ that the website will be regularly updated to present a transparent and factual timeline of events. The objective is to give the public access to the evidence, allowing them to draw their own conclusions.
With millions of dollars, reputations, and careers hanging in the balance, the legal dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively is far from settled. Now, the battle is unfolding not only in the courtroom but also in the public eye.
During a pre-trial hearing in early February, a judge urged both parties to refrain from publicly litigating the case after Lively's legal team requested a potential gag order in response to Baldoni's website, leaked behind-the-scenes footage from "It Ends with Us," and statements made by his attorneys.
Lively first filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, his production company, and others in New York in late December, alleging sexual harassment and reputational harm while seeking unspecified damages. Baldoni responded with a countersuit, accusing Lively and Reynolds of defamation and extortion. He is seeking a minimum of $400 million in damages.
Despite ongoing tensions, both sides appear prepared to move forward with a trial. In a letter filed in New York federal court on February 13, attorneys for both parties stated that engaging in settlement talks at this point would be 'inappropriate' and 'premature.'
As it stands, Lively and Baldoni are scheduled to face off in a civil trial beginning on March 9, 2026.