Blake Lively (center), Amber Heard, and America Ferrera (right) | Photo: Instagram, @blakelively, @amberheard, @americaferrera
Blake Lively gained the support of SAG-AFTRA and fellow celebrities after she filed a sexual harassment complaint against “It Ends With Us” co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing roughly 160,000 actors in Hollywood, has voiced its support to Lively, commending the actress for her courage to speak out against said harassment.
“These are startling and troubling allegations. Employees have every right to raise issues of concern or file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong,” the organization said in a statement.
“We applaud Blake Lively’s courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content. This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set,” it continued.
“It Ends With Us” studio Sony Pictures also released a statement following Lively‘s bombshell allegations, emphasizing that they condemn the “reputational attacks” made against the actress.
“We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today,” the studio’s spokesperson told Variety. “Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.”
Lively’s “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” co-stars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel also penned a joint statement, writing, “As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.”
“Throughout the filming of ‘It Ends with Us,’ we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice. Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety,” the statement continued.
Amber Heard joined in the chorus, saying she’s all too “familiar” with the situation, especially after her legal battle against ex-husband Johnny Depp.
“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,” she said in a statement sent to NBC.
Over the weekend, Lively made headlines after filing a lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign.
Baldoni has been dropped by his talent agency, WME, who also represents Lively. The Voices of Solidarity Award, which honored men who have advocated for women, has also revoked the actor’s recent award following the lawsuit.