Amber Heard reflects on 'smear campaigns' on social media amid Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni case

Amber Heard has addressed the issue of social media harassment in light of Blake Lively’s complaint against It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. In an exclusive statement shared with NBC News on Monday, Dec. 23, Heard reflected on the power of social media to spread misinformation, saying, “I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”

Lively’s complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department, accuses Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment and orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation during the promotion of It Ends With Us. The document alleges Baldoni retained PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan, known for her work with Johnny Depp during his 2022 defamation trial against Heard.

In her statement, Heard drew parallels between her own experience and Lively's, referring to the spread of false narratives during her high-profile legal battle with Depp. “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on,’” Heard said.

The complaint details an alleged “social media manipulation campaign” devised by Nathan, involving “proactive fan posting” and “narrative control” to shift public perception of Baldoni during the film’s press tour. Fans speculated about tension between the stars, noting that Lively and Baldoni avoided joint appearances and did not follow each other on Instagram.

While Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has dismissed the claims as “categorically false,” Heard’s comments add to the growing support for Lively from industry figures, including Brandon Sklenar and Lively’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Heard’s endorsement underscores the broader conversation about power dynamics and accountability in Hollywood.