US director loses women's award amid allegations of sexual harassment
Justin Baldoni has had a women advocacy honor revoked following accusations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign from co-star Blake Lively. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Blake Lively has initiated legal action against Justin Baldoni just days after he was honored for his advocacy work related to women's rights.
American actor and film director Justin Baldoni recently lost a women's solidarity award following accusations of sexual harassment from his co-star Blake Lively, who also alleged attempts to undermine her reputation.
Baldoni shared the screen with Lively in the successful romantic drama 'It Ends With Us,' which delves into issues of domestic violence and emotional abuse. On December 9, he received The Voices of Solidarity Award from Vital Voices, a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to women's empowerment.
The award is designed to “honor remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls,” and Baldoni was recognized for his “commitment to gender equality.” He has frequently described himself as a feminist and ally of the “#MeToo” movement, which aims to combat sexual violence.
However, on Monday, Vital Voices announced the revocation of Baldoni's award in light of the lawsuit filed by Lively. The organization characterized the allegations in her lawsuit as “disturbing” and stated that they contradict the “values and the spirit of the Award.”
Lively's lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses Baldoni and the lead producer of 'It Ends With Us,' Jamey Heath, of “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior.” She claimed they engaged in “inappropriate misconduct” with her and other cast members during the production. Additionally, Lively alleged that Baldoni orchestrated attempts to “destroy” her reputation after the film's release. The lawsuit details that he hired a crisis public relations expert who devised a “multi-tiered plan” to tarnish her image by disseminating negative stories on social media.
Baldoni's legal representation has dismissed Lively's allegations as “false” and described them as “yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her reputation,” which had taken a hit after the film premiered earlier this year. Following the release, Lively faced negative media coverage, with some calling her “tone-deaf” for her promotional efforts. Speculation arose in some outlets about whether she was “set to be canceled.”
In the wake of Lively's lawsuit, it is Baldoni who is now facing negative press. Aside from losing the award, he has been dropped by his talent agency, WME, which ceased its representation of him on Saturday. Moreover, he has been sued by his former publicist for allegedly breaching his contract. A number of actors and notable industry figures have expressed their support for Lively on social media, aligning themselves with her claims.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
American actor and film director Justin Baldoni recently lost a women's solidarity award following accusations of sexual harassment from his co-star Blake Lively, who also alleged attempts to undermine her reputation.
Baldoni shared the screen with Lively in the successful romantic drama 'It Ends With Us,' which delves into issues of domestic violence and emotional abuse. On December 9, he received The Voices of Solidarity Award from Vital Voices, a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to women's empowerment.
The award is designed to “honor remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls,” and Baldoni was recognized for his “commitment to gender equality.” He has frequently described himself as a feminist and ally of the “#MeToo” movement, which aims to combat sexual violence.
However, on Monday, Vital Voices announced the revocation of Baldoni's award in light of the lawsuit filed by Lively. The organization characterized the allegations in her lawsuit as “disturbing” and stated that they contradict the “values and the spirit of the Award.”
Lively's lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses Baldoni and the lead producer of 'It Ends With Us,' Jamey Heath, of “repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behavior.” She claimed they engaged in “inappropriate misconduct” with her and other cast members during the production. Additionally, Lively alleged that Baldoni orchestrated attempts to “destroy” her reputation after the film's release. The lawsuit details that he hired a crisis public relations expert who devised a “multi-tiered plan” to tarnish her image by disseminating negative stories on social media.
Baldoni's legal representation has dismissed Lively's allegations as “false” and described them as “yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her reputation,” which had taken a hit after the film premiered earlier this year. Following the release, Lively faced negative media coverage, with some calling her “tone-deaf” for her promotional efforts. Speculation arose in some outlets about whether she was “set to be canceled.”
In the wake of Lively's lawsuit, it is Baldoni who is now facing negative press. Aside from losing the award, he has been dropped by his talent agency, WME, which ceased its representation of him on Saturday. Moreover, he has been sued by his former publicist for allegedly breaching his contract. A number of actors and notable industry figures have expressed their support for Lively on social media, aligning themselves with her claims.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
