Latest news with #smearcampaign
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
People Are Coming To Pedro Pascal's Defense After Some Suspicious Backlash Against Him And Vanessa Kirby
Mom, can you come pick me up? People are being really weird about Pedro Pascal online and it's giving smear campaign. Related: If you have the profound displeasure of still being on X, you may have noticed a number of posts that essentially try to say that Pedro touches his female costars inappropriately as a way to soothe his "anxiety" — with a lot of focus on his Fantastic Four promotional tour with costar Vanessa Kirby. One of the videos of the pair was even flagged for containing an AI distortion. The posts twist what Pedro said about anxiety in a recent Men's Health interview: "I was always one to reach out when I'm facing something that is challenging or making me anxious...I definitely kind of stopped doing that, and instead I'm doomscrolling, or looking for something to watch; looking for different ways to disassociate from the feeling I'm having. And then, when it started to feel so critical, I had to go back to what was always the comfort for me in life, which was engagement in my relationships, my friendships, and conversation and shared experience." Touching, of women or otherwise, was not mentioned. The backlash further devolved into vitriolic, offensive posts about Bella Ramsey, with one post with 255k likes reading, "How come Pedro Pascal never gets anxiety around Bella Ramsey?" Monica Schipper / Getty Images, Travis P. Ball / SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images Related: Similarly, others suggested that Pedro is not physically close with his male costars, which is demonstrably false (if anything, you could argue he is more physical with his male costars). Theo Wargo / Getty Images, Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images for Netflix, Charley Gallay / Getty Images for Netflix It's actually not the first time similar jabs have been made at Pedro. As Vanity Fair noted, defenders of J.K. Rowling used a clip of Vanessa and Pedro at Comic-Con to suggest something untoward was happening after Pedro criticized the author for her anti-trans views. But Vanessa herself then said of them holding hands at the event, "What happened is we were both incredibly nervous going out in front of thousands of people who love this comic. He wanted me to know that we were in this together, and I found it a lovely gesture and was very glad to squeeze his hand back.' Related: The conversation has seeped onto Instagram, where a quick look at Pedro's comment section reveals a lot of spam-like behavior: Of course, what the "groping" posts fail to acknowledge is that touching in and of itself isn't an issue; it's consent (or lack of it). There's nothing to suggest that Pedro's costars feel anything but comfortable around him. It got to the point where Pedro's fellow Marvel actor, Simu Liu, posted seemingly in defense of him: Related: It's worth noting that the effectiveness of the attacks on Pedro's reputation were quickly questioned by many: Some even speculated that bots might be driving the negative posts: Given that many accounts posting negative things about Pedro contained other sexist or anti-trans content, you might be That's not clear right now, but it's worth noting that Pedro has been outspoken about trans rights and Palestine, and he is firmly against Donald Trump. Now, if only people came to women's defense like this... Also in Celebrity: Also in Celebrity: Also in Celebrity: Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron sue far-right podcaster Candace Owens over false claims French president's wife is a man
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens over the far-right influencer's 'relentless and unjustified smear campaign' falsely accusing Brigitte of being a man. The 219-page defamation complaint filed in Delaware state court on Wednesday accuses Owens of proliferating 'demonstrably false' claims through her platforms, including in an eight-part podcast and on social media, designed to feed a 'frenzied fan base' in 'pursuit of fame,' the Macrons allege. 'These lies have caused tremendous damage to the Macrons,' according to the lawsuit, which names Owens as well her business entities, which are incorporated in Delaware. The false claims have subjected the Macrons to a 'campaign of global humiliation, turning their lives into fodder for profit-driven lies,' the complaint says. 'Owens has dissected their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family, and their personal history — twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade,' the complaint alleges. 'The result is relentless bullying on a worldwide scale. Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications. It is invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust.' The Independent has requested comment from a representative for Owens, who is expected to respond to the allegations on Wednesday's podcast. Brigitte Macron was previously awarded £6,750 in damages last year after two other far-right influencers falsely accused her of being a transgender woman. This is a developing story Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron sue far-right podcaster Candace Owens over false claims French president's wife is a man
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens over the far-right influencer's 'relentless and unjustified smear campaign' falsely accusing Brigitte of being a man. The 219-page defamation complaint filed in Delaware state court on Wednesday accuses Owens of proliferating 'demonstrably false' claims through her platforms, including in an eight-part podcast and on social media, designed to feed a 'frenzied fan base' in 'pursuit of fame,' the Macrons allege. 'These lies have caused tremendous damage to the Macrons,' according to the lawsuit, which names Owens as well her business entities, which are incorporated in Delaware. The false claims have subjected the Macrons to a 'campaign of global humiliation, turning their lives into fodder for profit-driven lies,' the complaint says. 'Owens has dissected their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family, and their personal history — twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade,' the complaint alleges. 'The result is relentless bullying on a worldwide scale. Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications. It is invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust.' The Independent
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside Hollywood's most toxic feud: As Justin Baldoni and co-star Blake Lively sue and countersued, an explosive new show reveals why it's turned into all-out war
It's the feud that has everyone in Hollywood talking – actress Blake Lively suing Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director of last year's hit film It Ends With Us. She is accusing him of sexual harassment during the making of the movie and of masterminding a global smear campaign against her. He accused her of shutting him out of his own film and of effectively trying to torpedo his career. Two rich and unfeasibly gorgeous film stars locked in a drama, with the end credits unlikely to roll any time soon. Now a new Discovery+ documentary takes viewers on a journey through the labyrinthine allegations of the two warring factions, offering an unprecedented peek behind the Hollywood curtain. 'They were promoting a film,' says the documentary's director, Annabelle Draper, 'so you would think there would be a united front. But instead, everything that happened on set is being exposed. I don't think we've seen anything like that before.' The documentary features legal experts, commentators and PR crisis management experts debating both sides of the battle, with Justin's story presented first. A little-known actor whose biggest role to date had been in the comedy drama series Jane The Virgin, he was delighted when in 2019 his production company Wayfarer Studios snapped up the rights to Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel It Ends With Us. As a self-described male feminist, its themes of domestic abuse resonated with Justin and as Hollywood podcaster Lauren Atkinson remarks in the documentary, 'This really was his first big movie deal. It was his baby, if you will.' But it wasn't long before his baby started having the mother of all tantrums. Blake was already a bigger name than he was thanks to TV series such as Gossip Girl and her marriage to Hollywood big-hitter Ryan Reynolds, and Justin soon appeared to be intimidated. In one incident Justin visited her New York penthouse to discuss rewrites of a pivotal scene, only to be met by Blake, her husband and, purportedly, her friend Taylor Swift. 'These are behemoths,' notes podcaster Chanler Bledsoe in the documentary. 'Justin knew their presence was meant to intimidate him into using her rewrites.' And then in November 2023, after just 16 days of filming, Blake threatened to leave the production unless Justin agreed to a set of conditions, including that there shouldn't be any sexually explicit talk or showing of nude videos on set. Peter Tragos, a legal analyst, remarks in the documentary that, 'the difficulty for Justin Baldoni when he sees this list of demands is, 'I agree with all of them. That's exactly how a set should be run. That's exactly how our set is being run.' But they're couched in accusations.' He means the document's tone suggested sexually inappropriate conduct had already taken place during filming. Though Justin did sign the document, he later said he disagreed with its underlying insinuations. In one incident Justin visited her New York penthouse to discuss rewrites of a pivotal scene, only to be met by Blake, her husband and, purportedly, her friend Taylor Swift (Blake and husband Ryan Reynolds pictured) Further problems arose when Blake (also a producer on the film) asked to bring in her own editors. 'Justin would have felt walked all over,' says filmmaker Christel Cornilsen. 'She certainly wouldn't do that to another A-list director.' By May 2024 there were two separate edits of the movie and although Justin's scored higher with preview audiences, Blake allegedly threatened to 'not participate in marketing the film if they didn't use her cut', explains Chanler. Despite mixed reviews the movie was a box- office success, grossing over $350 million worldwide. Blake eventually filed a lawsuit last December accusing Justin of sexual harassment on the set of the film, and less than a month later Justin filed a $400 million ($300 million) countersuit against both Blake and her husband. Despite its dismissal recently, Justin maintains she wrested control of the film from him and manufactured claims of sexual harassment to conceal her actions. 'Ultimately,' says Annabelle, 'the case will be about proving Blake's allegations and some of them are kind of grey. This is still a 'he said, she said'.' The documentary's second half tells Blake's side of the story. Her allegations are far more serious and include claims her co-star improvised unwanted kisses during filming, spoke frequently of a previous pornography addiction and wanted Blake to be naked during the film's birthing scene. But perhaps the most damning accusation is that Justin's team was responsible for a coordinated media attack against Blake amid the film's 2024 release. Her team alleges his publicists conspired to create a global smear campaign against her by generating negative stories through social media, 'so they could get picked up by mainstream news outlets and reported,' explains Daily Mail journalist Daniel Bates in the show. The trial for Blake's complaint is set for next March, and the whole saga 'has been very exposing', says Annabelle. 'Neither side are backing down. Let's remember, a lot of this is talking about life on set and they're both being made out to be absolute nightmares. How will their future employers view it all?'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blake Lively Gets New Subpoenas Out In Justin Baldoni Legal Case, ‘Source' Claims
and 's legal battle reportedly got a new update as the former issued three new subpoenas. Weeks after her and Taylor Swift's text messages became accessible to her 'It Ends With Us' co-star, Lively subpoenaed Perez Hilton, Candace Owens, and Andy Signore. She seemingly sought all communications with Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties to prove the alleged smear campaign. Her lawsuit also accused him of sexual harassment. TMZ learned about a new development in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal battle as she reportedly issued three new subpoenas. A source with direct knowledge claimed that Lively subpoenaed content creators Perez Hilton, Candace Owens, and Andy Signore to obtain all communications with Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties. The publication believes her latest move likely stemmed from the judge's order to pursue discovery to prove the alleged smear campaign. Owens responded to the claim in a statement, revealing that she does not know the court documents yet. 'Given the fact that I have not received any subpoena yet, I appreciate Blake's team leaking this to TMZ to alert me to it,' she stated. The commentator and author further said she's unaware why she was 'being subpoenaed.' She then denied association with 'these parties' when they filed their respective lawsuits, but will share updates on her podcast. Responding to the subpoenas from Lively, Signore's lawyer also released a statement. The lawyer stated they haven't received 'any legal process at this time.' However, they expressed their intentions to 'vigorously defend against any claims' and 'protect the confidentiality of sources on both sides' in case of a subpoena. Reports of the subpoenas came weeks after a judge dismissed Justin Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. His team had previously issued two subpoenas to the 'Gossip Girl' alum's close friend Taylor Swift and her lawyers at Venable. They then withdrew the subpoenas soon after, but successfully pursued text messages between the two friends. Originally reported by Nikita Mahato on Reality Tea. The post Blake Lively Gets New Subpoenas Out In Justin Baldoni Legal Case, 'Source' Claims appeared first on Mandatory.
