A Texas-based crisis communications specialist, Jed Wallace, has initiated a $7 million defamation lawsuit against actress Blake Lively. The litigation arises from Lively's ongoing legal disputes with her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, concerning their film "It Ends With Us." Wallace claims he was wrongly implicated in Lively's allegations of a smear campaign against her, asserting he had no involvement in any efforts to damage her reputation.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Texas, where Wallace and his company, Street Relations, argue that Lively's accusations lack factual support. Lively's legal team, in response, labeled Wallace's lawsuit as retaliation for her own complaints regarding sexual harassment and retaliation, which she filed with the California Civil Rights Department. They contend that Wallace was allegedly utilized by Baldoni's publicists to orchestrate a digital campaign aimed at discrediting Lively through social media and online forums.
Lively's legal actions include a federal lawsuit against Baldoni, who has countered with his own defamation claims against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, seeking damages of at least $400 million. The situation is further complicated by Baldoni's separate libel suit against The New York Times and a lawsuit from his former publicist supporting Lively.
"It Ends With Us," which premiered in August and is based on Colleen Hoover's novel, has garnered significant box office success, amassing nearly $150 million. However, the film's promotion has been marred by ongoing controversies surrounding its production, adding to the complexities of the legal battles that have ensued among the involved parties.