Justin Baldoni, recently awarded to the actor and director, honoring him for his “strength and kindness in advocating for women and girls”, has been rescinded. this complaint filed by actor Blake Lively accusing him of sexual harassment and by organized labor damage the reputation.
The Voices of Solidarity Award was given to Baldoni on December 9 by the Vital Global Consortium, an international non-profit organization focused on women’s empowerment.
In a statement on December 23, Baldoni’s organization alleged that the “horrific action” expressed in Vitalis’ filing was “against the values of Vitalis Voices and the spirit of Lake.”
On December 21, Viva filed a complaint against Baldoni, who had been her director and co-star of the film, It Ends With Us. The complaint alleges that Baldoni sexually harassed Viva and coordinated efforts to damage her reputation through a campaign of “social manipulation.”
Baldoni has starred in and directed several movies and shows, most notably CW’s Virgin, and is a co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, the film company that produces It Ends With Us, a feature film released earlier this year.
According to the complaint, Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath engaged in “inappropriate misconduct” with Vivive and other cast members during the film’s production. Conditions were allegedly so bad, the complaint states, that on January 4, Live and her husband Ryan Reynolds met with Baldoni, Heath and other producers to discuss a list of demands “to address the hostile work environment” that nearly pulled production. to move
The list of demands included that Baldoni and Heath immediately stop engaging in non-consensual, harassing and personal conversations about sex with Lively and other women on set. It also includes requirements for moving sexual and intimate scenes for the film. All parties agree to implement and follow what was discussed in the meeting.
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However, before the film’s release, Baldoni and Heath reportedly hired public relations experts to inveigh against Lively. According to reports included in the complaint, they have engaged in a coordinated push to damage the reputation of the company by raising negative stories about it on social media. His attempt at public relations was apparently successful. “He is unfit, deaf to sound, difficult to work, a corruptor, a tyrant” The New York Times wrote.
In a statement to the Times, Baldoni’s attorney said the claims “are completely false, outrageous and intentionally malicious, with the intent to publicly harm and re-narrate the media.”
Baldoni had previously identified himself as a partner in the #MeToo movement, and published a book that he said challenged traditional notions of masculinity.
Following the recent news of Viva’s complaint, Baldoni’s talent agency, WME, has stopped representing her. The author of the book ends with us, which was based on the movie, too he spoke in support of Viva writing on Instagram: “Blake’s ability to sit back and bury himself” was nothing less than inspiring.