Leslie Sloane refutes claims of smear campaign against Justin Baldoni

In the United States, on December 31, 2024, actress Blake Lively filed a federal lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, the director of the film 'It Ends With Us', alleging sexual harassment and a coordinated smear campaign against her following her complaints about misconduct on set. She expressed that Baldoni, along with his production company and public relations team, orchestrated a scheme aimed at damaging her reputation after she reported inappropriate behavior from Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath. The lawsuit claims that a meeting was held to address her concerns, which included allegations of sexual harassment, with Baldoni allegedly making inappropriate comments regarding her body and personal life. This action was taken shortly after Baldoni filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times over its reporting on Lively's allegations, asserting that the publication spread a self-serving narrative based on unverified claims. After Lively's lawsuit, Baldoni faced immediate consequences, including being dropped by his talent agency, WME, and receiving backlash on social media. The public feud between Lively and Baldoni raised significant attention in Hollywood, reflecting ongoing issues of workplace misconduct and retaliation against those who report such behavior. Further complicating the situation, both parties accused each other of orchestrating smear campaigns through the media, highlighting the tense and complex dynamics within the industry.