The controversy surrounding Justin Baldoni has taken a dramatic new turn. The actor and filmmaker, who has been mired in allegations of harassment, retaliation, and a media smear campaign against his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, now faces a defamation lawsuit filed by Stephanie Jones, founder of his former PR agency, Jonesworks.
Jones alleges that Baldoni, along with his Wayfarer Studios and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, engaged in defamation, breach of contract, and other violations. The lawsuit, filed on Christmas Eve, accuses the defendants of conspiring to launch a smear campaign against Lively while simultaneously sabotaging Jones’ reputation and business.
Allegations of Betrayal and Conspiracy
According to the complaint, Abel and Nathan, once trusted colleagues at Jonesworks, secretly coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to undermine Jones. The suit claims the PR team used the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us as a pretext to sever ties with Jones and pin blame for the alleged smear campaign on her.
“Defendants Abel and Nathan secretly conspired for months to publicly and privately attack Jones and Jonesworks, to breach multiple contracts and induce contractual breaches, and to steal clients and business prospects,” the lawsuit states.
Jones further asserts that Abel’s departure from Jonesworks in July 2023 to establish her own firm, RWA Communications, was marred by unethical practices. Abel allegedly took Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and other high-profile clients with her, all while continuing to badmouth Jones within the industry.
Tensions Escalate with Leaked Text Messages
The lawsuit includes alleged incriminating text messages between the defendants, portraying a toxic working relationship. In one text, Abel reportedly described Baldoni as “pompous” and dismissed his concerns, while another message allegedly criticized Nathan, a collaborator in the crisis PR effort.
The texts, which were forensically extracted from company devices, form a key part of Jones’ case. She denies any involvement in the smear campaign against Lively and alleges that Abel and Nathan have falsely tried to implicate her as retaliation for their own actions becoming public.
A Growing Scandal
This lawsuit is the latest development in a scandal that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Lively has accused Baldoni and his PR team of attempting to destroy her reputation following her allegations of harassment on the It Ends With Us set. The backlash against Baldoni has been severe, with Hollywood power players distancing themselves from him. His talent agency, WME, dropped him earlier this month, further isolating him in the industry.
Sources close to the situation suggest that more lawsuits may follow, including one from Lively herself. The actress has garnered widespread support from industry peers and advocacy groups for her courage in speaking out.
Fallout and Industry Reactions
Jones’ lawsuit appears to be both an effort to distance herself from the ongoing controversy and to hold her former colleagues accountable. She is seeking unspecified damages and court orders to address the alleged misconduct. Meanwhile, Baldoni, Nathan, and Abel have yet to publicly comment on the lawsuit.
As Hollywood watches this legal drama unfold, the implications for all parties involved are significant. The It Ends With Us scandal continues to highlight the cutthroat nature of the entertainment and PR industries, with reputations and careers hanging in the balance.
Stay tuned as this story develops—more legal battles and revelations are almost certain to follow.
