Amber Heard shares her perspective on Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, revealing, ‘I saw this firsthand,’ sparking intense reactions.
In an interview with NBC News, Amber Heard gained attention after speaking out about Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni.
Amber Heard has broken her silence regarding Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. Lively has accused Baldoni, her co-star and director of It Ends with Us, of sexual harassment and a social media smear campaign.
Blake Lively accuses Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation
Blake Lively filed the lawsuit over the weekend, claiming Baldoni harassed her and initiated a campaign to damage her reputation.
The legal complaint includes a meeting between Lively, Baldoni, and Ryan Reynolds, during which Lively allegedly presented 30 demands for the film’s production to continue.
The lawsuit claims Baldoni hired a PR team to launch a retaliatory social media campaign against Lively.
The goal, according to the suit, was to destroy her public image during the film’s production.
Amber Heard shares her personal experience with social media smear campaigns
In an exclusive statement to NBC News, Amber Heard spoke out on the issue. She commented on the destructive power of social media, saying, “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’
“I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.”
The role of PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan in both lawsuits
Amber Heard’s statement follows the revelation that Baldoni hired PR expert Melissa Nathan. Nathan had previously worked with Johnny Depp during his defamation trial against Heard.
In Lively’s case, Nathan was reportedly hired during production to manage the fallout from the alleged smear campaign.
Amber Heard’s defamation case against Johnny Depp and the role of PR
Heard’s previous defamation case with ex-husband Johnny Depp also involved PR manipulation. Heard was sued after publishing a Washington Post opinion piece where she described herself as a victim of abuse.
Although she didn’t name Depp, the court ruled her article defamatory, leading to a £12 million award for Depp.
Heard filed a countersuit, winning £1.5 million in damages. She stated the verdict “sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated.”
PR text messages hint at the extent of the smear campaign
The lawsuit includes text messages between Melissa Nathan and Baldoni’s publicist, revealing the details of the alleged smear campaign.
One message, from publicist Jennifer Abel, referenced Baldoni’s wish for Lively to be “buried” professionally.
In response, Nathan emphasized caution, noting that writing such things could lead to legal trouble.
Melissa Nathan said: “Of course – but you know when we send over documents we can’t send over the work we will or could do because that could get us in a lot of trouble,” before adding: “We can’t write we will destroy her.”
During the press tour for It Ends with Us, rumors circulated about a rift between Lively and Baldoni. Fans noticed that the two did not attend press events together, despite their roles as co-stars and the fact that Baldoni was also the director. The lawsuit has now shed light on the alleged reasons behind their strained relationship.