Justin Baldoni’s lawyer claims public perception of Blake Lively was shaped by her own actions

Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has responded to Blake Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign, asserting that public sentiment against the actress was driven by her own actions during the promotion of their film It Ends With Us.

In a statement shared on Monday, Freedman clarified that The Agency Group (TAG PR), the crisis management firm hired by Baldoni, operated within the bounds of standard practices to address the fallout surrounding the production. He emphasized that the firm's drafted plans to mitigate potential public relations issues were ultimately unnecessary.

"The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews, and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on," Freedman stated.

Freedman further noted the irony in media coverage of the allegations, specifically referencing The New York Times' decision to publish text messages from TAG PR representatives. "It’s ironic that the New York Times, through their effort to 'uncover' an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively’s own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context — the very same tactics she’s accusing the firm of implementing."

Baldoni, who directed and co-starred in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller, has faced growing scrutiny since Lively’s legal filing. The actress alleges that Baldoni created a hostile work environment, engaged in inappropriate conduct, and orchestrated a retaliatory smear campaign through TAG PR.

While Lively claims her reputation was damaged by targeted actions from Baldoni’s team, Freedman’s statement underscores his argument that the negative public perception was not manufactured but a natural reaction to Lively’s behavior during the film’s promotion.

As the legal battle continues, public and industry responses remain divided, with some rallying behind Lively and others questioning the veracity of her claims.