Blake Lively could become Hollywood’s persona non grata following the latest bombshell of a sexual harassment lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.
Brand specialist Kaylee Cornelius gave an exclusive interview to Page Six after a judge dismissed the actress’ sexual harassment, defamation and conspiracy claims against Baldoni, sparking a headline-grabbing legal showdown.
“It looks like there’s going to be a tough road ahead for Blake Lively,” Cornelis said. “There is a real risk that she may begin to feel pushed out of the industry and may have trouble securing major roles or brand deals in the future.”
PR gurus say the fast-paced movie industry could easily take away from Lively’s talent.
“The film industry is incredibly fast-moving and competitive right now, so it often feels like a revolving door,” she said. “As certain stars fade, a whole new wave of talent is now replacing them.”
She explained that at a time when the public is “more responsive than ever,” studios are looking for the best talent to reach larger audiences.
“The impact of cancel culture and increased scrutiny has reduced the willingness to take risks on talent that may be considered controversial or commercially uncertain,” Cornelius said. “This means that even a traditional name like Blake is no longer untouchable and is guaranteed the security it once had.
“Therefore, there’s a good chance that studios will prefer newer talent, and that Blake will face stiffer competition for future roles.”
The latest update in Lively’s case against Baldoni is said to be a “major turning point” for her reputation.
“When allegations as significant as sexual harassment, defamation and conspiracy are dismissed, it inevitably has a lasting impact on public perception,” she said. “At this level, reputational damage can be extremely difficult to fully recover from, and unless there are significant legal developments in her favor in the future, Blake’s public image is unlikely to return to what it once was.”
As for how Lively should move forward next, Cornelius said she should stand her ground.
“This is definitely a fight she needs to follow through if she wants to prove her point and firmly stand behind her case,” she said. “Backing down or calming down too quickly could be perceived by the public as a sign of suspicion or even guilt, which would only strengthen the narrative that is currently forming around her.”
But if her messy legal battle continues to further damage her image, a settlement could be the “smart” option.
“A prolonged legal battle could put this story in the headlines and increase scrutiny over time, which in itself could be incredibly damaging,” she said. “If the case becomes more complex or unpredictable, settlement may be a wise choice from a damages perspective, even if it does not fully justify her position.
“It would also give her a chance to take a step back, reset and cautiously step back into the spotlight. But realistically, it will be the success or failure of her next big project that will determine what the future holds for her career.”
Lawyer Gregory Doll believes Lively may choose to settle the case.
“Lively has no remaining claims against Baldoni. All she has now is claims against the various entities involved,” said Wasi, the attorney. “So Justin is no longer threatened with personal liability. I think the chances of a settlement have increased significantly.”
Lively’s main goal moving forward in court will be to try to prove that she suffered reputational damage as a result of Baldoni’s onslaught of PR campaigns, Dole said.
“She has a difficult road ahead,” Doll said.
As for Baldoni, Cornelius said the ruling is a “clear reputational boost.”
“The rejection of his main claims puts him on firmer footing in the court of public opinion and allows him to change his position with more confidence,” she said. “That doesn’t mean he’s completely out in the public eye yet, but the balance has shifted in his favor and gives him an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen his image from this point on.”
As Page Six reported, Judge Louis J. Lehman threw out 10 of Lively’s 13 claims against Baldoni, imposing legal sanctions on the “Gossip Girl” alum.
Ms. Lively can continue to pursue claims of breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation.
Sources told Page Six Hollywood that the judge apparently wants the stars to settle out of court, but Lively confirmed she plans to proceed with the court process in May.
“She looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this egregious online retaliation to make it easier to discover and fight,” her attorney said in a statement.
“This case has been, and continues to be, focused on devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps taken by the defendants to destroy the reputation of Blake Lively, who stood up for safety on set, and that is the case that will be tried…” her attorney continued.
“For Blake Lively, the greatest measure of justice is that the people and plans behind these coordinated digital attacks are exposed and are already being held accountable by other women targeted.”
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s lawyers said they were “very pleased” that Lively’s sexual harassment claims had been dismissed.
“These are very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the court for carefully considering the facts, the law, and the extensive evidence presented,” Baldoni’s lawyers said in a statement, adding: “What remains is a fairly narrow case and we look forward to defending the remaining allegations in court.”
Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 42, co-starred in the 2024 film, which is based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name.
Lively faced backlash while promoting the film, which is about domestic violence, and was criticized for promoting the film in a tone-deaf manner.
When the film was first released that summer, there were rumors that Lively and director Baldoni were on bad terms.
Sources told Page Six at the time that Lively and Baldoni, who played each other’s lovers in the film, did not get along on set.
In December of that year, Lively sued Baldoni for on-set sexual harassment and retaliation, leading Baldoni to file a $400 million countersuit against her and her husband Ryan Reynolds. The counterclaim was dismissed by a judge in June last year.
Lively and the “Jane the Virgin” star are scheduled to appear in court again on May 18.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call our Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
