She claimed that as the film's release in August 2024 approached, fearing her allegations would become public and tarnish it, Mr Baldoni and Mr Heath had Ms Nathan, a crisis PR expert, and then Mr Wallace hired to smear Ms. Lively's reputation instead.
The actress cited text messages in her complaint that show Ms. Nathan pushing to prevent print articles about Mr. Baldoni's behavior from being published and amplifying negative articles about Ms. Lively. Other texts, she said, included references to Mr. Wallace, a self-described “hired gun,” who led a digital strategy that included boosting social media posts that could help their cause. For example, one of Ms. Nathan's co-workers wrote in a group text message, “We are starting to see a change on the social front, largely due to the efforts of Jed and his team to change the narrative.”
Ms. Lively's complaint in California was a precursor to a lawsuit she filed on Tuesday in federal court in the Southern District of New York. “Now the defendants will answer for their conduct in federal court,” her attorneys said in a statement.
Last week, Stephanie Jones, a former publicist for Mr. Baldoni and Wayfarer, filed a lawsuit against them and others, alleging breach of contract and other claims. According to the lawsuit, the text messages and emails Ms. Lively received via subpoena came from a company phone used by Ms. Abel, one of Ms. Jones' employees, and which was returned when she was fired.
Since the publication of the Times article, talent agency William Morris Endeavor has dropped Mr. Baldoni as a client. Liz Plank, who, together with Mr. Baldoni and Mr. Heath, who hosts the 'Man Enough' podcast, announced that she would no longer appear on the show.
Colleen Hoover, author of the book “It Ends With Us”; Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar, cast members of the film; and Alex Saks, one of the producers, are among those who have publicly supported Ms. Lively.
