Amber Heard issued a statement supporting Blake Lively amid her legal battle with End with us director and co-star Justin Baldoni. The romantic drama, based on Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni as Lily and Ryle, a couple whose relationship becomes increasingly strained when Lily's first love reappears, and Lily's disturbing behavior. Ryle begins to reflect on the domestic violence she witnessed from her parents. ' married. Directed by Baldoni, the film achieved box office success despite receiving mixed reviews from critics.
Lively recently filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of sexual harassment and promoting a hostile work environment. The lawsuit also alleges that Baldoni and his crisis public relations team orchestrated smear campaigns and manipulated media narratives, as evidenced by thousands of text messages, emails and targeted stories in the media designed to discredit Lively. Notably, these efforts were led by Melissa Nathan, the same public relations expert who worked with Johnny Depp during his 2022 defamation trial against Amber Heard.
As reported by NBC News, Heard's comments reflect her own experience during her high-profile trial with Deppwhere she encountered an equally hostile media narrative. She stated:
Social media is the absolute embodiment of the classic saying “A lie travels halfway around the world before the truth can put on its boots.” I saw this firsthand and up close. It is as horrible as it is destructive.
What this means for Lively and the industry
Gender and media manipulation in Hollywood
To End with us, These revelations cast a long shadow over his legacy. Although the romantic drama was successful at the box office and demand for adaptations of Hoover's work continues to grow, its depiction of domestic violence has generated criticism that undermines the romantic drama's broader impact. The alleged smear campaign against Lively further intensifies scrutiny of how the film's promotion and narrative decisions were handled, exposing a stark contrast between the story's themes and the reported behind-the-scenes actions.
The parallels between Lively and Heard's experiences highlight a troubling pattern in Hollywood: the use of public opinion and the media as a weapon to tarnish a woman's reputation during controversies involving male stars. ONE New York Times The report provides substantial evidence that Baldoni's crisis public relations team, led by Melissa Nathan, deliberately targeted her with planted negative stories and manipulated online discourse. This strategy not only reflects the tactics allegedly used during Heard's trial against the Pirates of the Caribbean star, but it also underscores the deeply ingrained gender dynamics that shape such “horrible” and “destructive“narratives.
Women who speak out against misconduct in Hollywood often face disproportionate backlash independently of a public relations team, as public and media scrutiny often tilts against them, portraying them as untrustworthy or vindictive. These gender dynamics amplify the risks for those willing to challenge systemic abuses of power, foster an environment where reputational damage becomes a tool to silence dissent. To End with usThe juxtaposition of its themes of resilience and empowerment with the alleged behind-the-scenes actions highlights a troubling disconnect, casting further doubt on the film's legacy as a work of art and cultural statement.
Our Take on Amber Heard's Support for Blake Lively
Lively's fight sheds light on the industry's power dynamics
Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni shines a light on the systemic challenges women face in Hollywood when addressing misconduct. His allegations of inappropriate behavior and retaliation campaigns reveal a worrying abuse of power, with public relations strategies allegedly implemented to damage his reputation and control public perception in favor of Baldoni.eerily similar to the media response surrounding Depp v. Heard (2022).
To End with us, These allegations deepen the disconnect between the film's themes of resilience and female empowerment in relation to alleged on-set behavior. As Lively's legal battle unfolds, her willingness to stand up to these abuses could spark significant reforms, pushing for a Hollywood where women are empowered to speak out without fear of retaliation. Their courage not only highlights the need for change, but also sets an important precedent for resolving power imbalances in the industry.