Hollywood Heavyweights Stand By Blake Lively in ‘It Ends With Us’ Legal Battle
Ari Emanuel, the influential CEO of William Morris Endeavor (WME), has come out in staunch support of Blake Lively in her ongoing legal battle with "It Ends With Us" co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
Emanuel’s Outspoken Defense
During a taping of the "Freakonomics Radio Live" show, Emanuel expressed his strong disapproval of Baldoni’s alleged actions towards Lively. "It is a f—– up, bad situation with what Bologna… Baldoni… whatever his name is… is doing," Emanuel told host Stephen Dubner.
Emanuel’s unwavering support for Lively stems from his long-standing relationship with her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, both of whom are clients of WME. "In Hollywood, they have been incredibly successful," Emanuel remarked. "People work with them, they’ve never had any bad mojo out there or treated people badly."
A Charitable Couple with a Spotless Reputation
Emanuel praised Lively and Reynolds for their charitable nature and impeccable reputation. "They’ve given tons of money away," he said. "If what is alleged in her lawsuit that what happened on social media is true, just because she complained to the studio that things were unhealthy on the set, and that he was director and this man (Heath) was the producer, and they did to her what is being alleged—they’re really bad people."
Emanuel’s Commitment to Lively and Reynolds
"I am a ride or die," Emanuel declared. "And they are good people."
Baldoni’s Lawyer Responds
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, responded to Emanuel’s comments with a hint of humor. "Mr. Ari Emanuel is notably one of the best agents, and clearly the most loyal, in Hollywood," Freedman said. "As I understand it, Justin hasn’t been called ‘Bologna’ since the fifth grade. Perhaps Ari’s perspective would be different if they had ever met in the half decade they were clients of his agency."
Case Developments
Despite Emanuel’s strong support, Lively and Baldoni recently declined mediation, potentially setting the stage for a trial. The parties have agreed that mediation and Discovery Protocols are inappropriate for the case.
Lively and Reynolds have until February 18 to file an amended complaint against Baldoni. The couple also intends to file a motion to dismiss Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against them before the March 20 deadline.
Conclusion
The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni continues to unfold, with Hollywood heavyweights weighing in on the matter. Ari Emanuel’s unflinching support for Lively and Reynolds highlights their strong reputation and the seriousness of the allegations against Baldoni. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how these legal proceedings will impact the careers and lives of all involved.
