Among the actresses legal battle against the director and "It Ends With Us" co-star. Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment and retaliation received support from her oldest sibling via an impassioned post on Instagram.
In it, the "Teen Witch" star defends her little sister while urging the public to be considerate of the sensitive matter Blake is currently dealing with.
Article continues below ad
Robyn Lively asks fans not to make 'judgments too quickly' about Blake or other celebrities
In her Instagram post, published on Dec. 22, older sister Lively began by pleading with others to weigh in on the details of Blake's case against Baldoni.
"I urge everyone to read the NY Times article in its entirety," Robyn wrote, adding:
“He calls out those behind the relentless and vile smear campaign aimed at taking down my sister. It also highlights the truth and what really happened, what she actually went through during the filming of 'It Ends With Us'."
The NYT article, published along with Blake Lively's complaint to the California Department of Civil Rights, alleges that Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath came together to create a smear campaign involving the 37-year-old "Gossip Girl" actress.
Article continues below ad
In the lawsuit, Blake cited multiple problems with Baldoni on the set of "It Ends With Us," including his alleged penchant for sharing details about non-consensual sexual encounters, and attempts to add scenes to the script where her character would be naked or depicted in a sexualized manner.
Baldoni and Heath have denied all allegations.
Article continues below ad
Robyn shows her 'mama bear' love from her sister
Robyn later mentioned in her Instagram post that despite being familiar with her sister's work, the public doesn't know Blake as a person.
"We live in an age where we have access to people's personal lives like never before - especially actors," she continued, writing:
“It makes us feel like we know them. We see them on social media, watch their clips and make snap judgments about their character. The only reason I can comment on this is because I'm guilty of it myself. It's all of us. The truth is – we don't know them.”
At the time, Robyn called her younger sister “one of the kindest, most genuine and kindest people” she knew.
"Blake is not a villain," the "Savannah" actress added, writing:
Article continues below ad
"She's a mother bear to the core, a loving and supportive wife, a sister, a friend and someone who worked her ass off on film in abhorrent working conditions."
Article continues below ad
Robyn expresses how "proud" she is of Blake for telling her "the truth"
Among the many criticisms Blake received during the promotional run for "It Ends With Us" was her attempt to emphasize the lighter side of her character, Lily. According to her lawsuit, the studio allegedly asked her not to focus on the film's domestic violence story.
“The truth in the tabloids is hardly what you think,” explained Robyn (seen with Blake, youngest sister Lori and mother Elaine, above), “but honesty prevails. Today is a good day. My gratitude is boundless for your kindness and respect for my sister.”
To finish, Robyn presented Blake with flowers expressing how "proud" she was of her.
"(I'm proud that she behaved with such grace and that she didn't give in, that she didn't allow herself to be silenced in the face of adversity and lies," she wrote and added:
“I hope this gives others the strength to do the same.”
Article continues below ad
Others showed support for Blake when she needed it
Since the Lively and Baldoni affair broke, those who know the actress and have worked closely with her have released statements of support.
Author Colleen Hoover, the original writer of “It Ends With Us,” was one of the first to speak further Blake's name.
“(Blake), you've been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met,” Hoover wrote on her Instagram stories on Dec. 21. "Thank you for being exactly the man you are. Never change. Never wilt."
Similarly, her three "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" co-stars - America Ferrara, Alexis Bledel and Amber Tamblyn - came together to issue a joint statement, saying they "stand in solidarity with her as she fights the reported campaigns to destroy her reputation ."
Some, like comedian Amy Schumer, who has never worked directly with Blake, gave simple words that spoke volumes.
“I believe Blake,” she wrote on her Instagram Story.
Article continues below ad
What happened since the story disappeared
In the days following Lively's claim and the NYT article, Baldoni was dropped by talent agency WME. They made no further comment.
Through his lawyer, Baldoni called the actress' accusations "completely false, outrageous and deliberately egregious with the intention of publicly hurting and repeating the story in the media."
“It Ends With Us” is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Source link