Justin Baldoni’s crisis team has mentioned both Taylor Swift and the “Weaponization of Feminism” within their alleged Blake Lively Takedown Plan.
On Friday (December 20), Lively filed a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint against her former costar. As reported by TMZ, the suit claims that Baldoni exhibited behaviour that caused Lively “severe emotional distress”.
Now, according to US Weekly, exhibits of an email exchange from August 6 between Baldoni and one of the crisis management experts working for him read: “We have seen the most innocuous issues turn giant due to socials or the hugest crises have no effect on social whatsoever. You just cannot tell at this stage. But, BL does have some of the same TS fanbase so we will be taking it extremely seriously,” with “BL” referring to Lively and “TS” referring to Swift who is one of Lively’s close friends.
A different “scenario planning” document from the director’s crisis management team read: “Our team can also explore planting stories about the weaponization of feminism and how people like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilizing these tactics to ‘bully’ into getting what they want,” (as per US Weekly).
The complaint also mentioned a text exchange between Baldoni and his crisis team in which he shared an X/Twitter thread that a user created about Hailey Bieber allegedly as an example of an astroturfing plan against his co-star.
The text exchange showed that Baldoni had sent a screenshot of a threat that had unpacked “Hailey Bieber’s history of bullying women,” alongside a text message from him reading: “This is what we would need.”
Reports of a rift between the two actors emerged in August, but now, she has made allegations of sexual harassment and starting a campaign to “destroy” her reputation.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freeman, has called the allegations “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.”
On Saturday (December 22), it was reported that Baldoni had been dropped by his talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) – which also represents Lively. As per Variety, the agency had felt that action was required immediately due to Lively’s serious allegations. At the time of writing, WME has yet to comment.
NME has reached out to Baldoni’s legal representatives for comment.
Elsewhere, Lively’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars – America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel – have gone on to publicly defended her.
The trio, who co-starred with the actress in the 2005 film as well as its 2008 sequel, shared a statement on Instagram in support of her.
“We stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the statement read. “Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.
“Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivor stories to silence a woman who asked for safety,” the statement continues. “The hypocrisy is astounding. We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment.”
Ferrera, Tamblyn, and Bledel went on to encourage others to read the full legal complaint detailed in The New York Times. “We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others,” they added.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.