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Kjersti Flaa has claimed that some texts prove Justin Baldoni's team did not engage in an alleged smear campaign against Blake Lively. The Norwegian journalist shared text messages and conversations on her YouTube channel on November 12.
For the unversed, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December last year for alleged sexual harassment. She also claimed that he and his company, Wayfarer Studios, allegedly strategized to “destroy her reputation.” She alleged that this happened on the sets of It Ends With Us, which was released in August 2024.
Kjersti Flaa has now claimed that she has seen texts from Baldoni's team among themselves, claiming that there is no smear campaign. She said that the actor-director and his team were just trying to defend themselves.
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In her YouTube video, published on November 12, she shared a text that Jamey Heath, CEO of Wayfarer Studios, made to his team. Heath referred to an article from The Hollywood Reporter, which reports Sony's praise for Blake Lively, and wrote:
"I spoke with justin. Here's my honest thoughts. No it's not perfect. There is some misinformation here for sure. And yet... I see this as a win. Let her be praised by Sony. Who cares. It's not a bullet at us. Finally, there is an article that is not directed at Justin."
Heath further wrote that he understands that Sony are just looking to make as much money as they can and promote the film. He added that the industry knows the truth and added:
"And honestly, I don't care who Sony nestles up to. As long as they can put out a movie of ours and make money so that we can be Wayfarer and do what we do then I am good. Let's not lose sight of the big picture. Right now that's keeping bullets away from you Justin away from me and away from Wayfarer. And if that comes at the expense of her being praised, then so be it. And that is the win. And yet I get it's frustrating."
Kjersti Flaa believes this text shows that Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios intended to protect themselves instead of allegedly defaming Blake Lively. She also shared some more text where Baldoni and his team speak about the support they have received from some fans.
Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively was dismissed
Following her sexual harassment lawsuit, Justin Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit in January this year against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. He had also filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for alleged defamatory reporting. However, his case was dismissed after he missed a deadline.
As per the BBC, Judge Lewis Liman had dismissed the $400 million lawsuit in June this year, but Baldoni's team had the opportunity to file an amendment until October 17. They, however, failed to comply, and hence, the lawsuit was dismissed.
Meanwhile, about Baldoni's dismissed lawsuit against The New York Times, Judge Liman said:
"The alleged facts indicate that the Times reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatised manner, what it believed to have happened. The Times had no obvious motive to favour Lively's version of events."
Meanwhile, the original lawsuit, filed by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni, is set to go to trial in March 2026.
