After a major setback in his ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, Blake AliveIt is The industry’s image has apparently suffered a major blow, with one Hollywood source saying the affair has “ruined” it.
Days after a federal judge dismissed several of her complaints against Baldoni, the actress shared a statement on Instagram, expressing her desire to see the case through to completion while emphasizing that she was doing it for other victims of harassment.
Now, experts are also saying that Blake Lively’s provocative remarks could cost her dearly if she loses the case, stressing that she must win to save her reputation.
Industry sources say Lively’s lawsuit ‘ruined’ her in Hollywood
Lively’s lawsuit against her “It Ends With Us” co-star, Justin Baldoni, is now in a critical phase, as their trial is scheduled for May 18, just five weeks from now.
However, it seems some Hollywood circles have already guessed his fate, and it’s not looking good at all.
According to the Daily Maila Disney executive said the lawsuit had tainted Lively’s image in Hollywood and that she was highly unlikely to recover from the fallout from the legal battle.
“This lawsuit ruined her in Hollywood…the truth is she was never more popular. She had a reputation for being difficult, one of those toxic people who always thinks she knows best,” the industry insider said.
Within those industry circles, the source went further to explain that the “Gossip Girl” star was believed to be the architect of her legal troubles, adding that no one would feel bad about Lively’s potential career decline.
The Hollywood source said: “The general opinion now is that she has made her bed and can lie in it. I don’t think people in Hollywood are shedding tears over her.”
Actress’ sexual harassment complaint dismissed
Lively and Baldoni’s legal standoff has been going on for nearly two years after she accused him of sexual harassment and launched a smear campaign against her to tarnish her image.
The director denied the allegations and filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, citing bullying, but that suit has since been dismissed.
However, much like Baldoni, Lively’s case recently suffered a blow after Judge Lewis Liman dismissed 10 of her 13 claims against her former co-star, including sexual harassment and defamation. This leaves him with only three allegations to prove, namely breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting retaliation, all of which will now go to trial.
According to the Daily mail, her attorneys reportedly had a conference call with Baldoni’s attorneys to discuss a possible settlement, but it appears that little came of that meeting, as Lively’s attorneys later filed a letter reaffirming their intention to pursue the matter to fruition.
Blake Lively says she fights to ‘expose systems and people who seek to do harm’
After her main claims were dismissed, the “Another Simple Favor” actress shared a statement on Instagram, essentially saying she wasn’t doing it for herself.
“I am grateful for the court’s decision that allows my case to go before a jury next month, and to finally be able to tell my story in full at trial, for my own sake, but also for those who do not have the same opportunity to do so…including many I have known and loved deeply in my life, and the countless others I will never know,” the statement begins.
Lively explained that she never wanted to take legal action, but after experiencing “widespread retaliation,” she decided to file a lawsuit for herself and others, adding that she hoped it would help other potential victims speak out.
She also reflected on the media circus that followed after filing her complaint, while denouncing how the media portrayed it as “celebrity drama.”
“I will never stop doing my part in the fight to expose systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims,” Lively concluded her statement. “I know it’s a privilege to stand up. I won’t waste it. Your support keeps me going.”
The actress risks becoming an “outcast” like Amber Heard
Brand experts have since looked into Lively’s legal issues, noting that she is currently in a difficult situation with her career in jeopardy, especially after her provocative remarks about the lawsuit.
In a conversation with Fox News DigitalJordan Matthews of Holtz Matthews LLP explained that a verdict completely exonerating Baldoni could leave the actress in a vulnerable state, similar to Amber Heard, who has since become something of a “pariah” in Hollywood.
“That could basically put her in the same category as Amber Heard, and she could be considered an outcast,” Matthews noted. “Whether she and Baldoni both testify, much will depend on the credibility of the witnesses and the effectiveness of each of their legal teams during cross-examination.”
Entertainment attorney Tre Lovell had a similar stance, as he emphasized the importance of the trial’s outcome to Lively’s career and public image.
“Her reputation has taken a very big hit and she needs to resurrect her brand, the first step of which will be to win the case,” Lovell told the outlet. “As a result, aggressive legal action can only help; This is not the time for her to take her foot off the pedal. »
Blake Lively could move to the UK after her legal battle with Justin Baldoni
Meanwhile, rumors are rife that Lively and Reynolds will settle into a new life in the UK once her affair with Baldoni ends. This decision would be a response to the fact that their careers are now fragile.
As reported The explosionAccording to podcaster Lady Colin Campbell, the couple have already bought a house in Barnet, an upscale town on the outskirts of London, and could move there “semi-permanently”.
Campbell says they are both aware their careers are now “in the tank”, with Reynolds’ position in Hollywood being “revisited”.
Amid this affair, the couple also suffered strained relationships with some of their Hollywood friends, including Taylor Swift, who was dragged into the affair after Baldoni claimed Lively compared her to one of his “dragons.”
