Ari Emanuel Stands With Blake Lively Amidst Controversy
Table of Contents
- 1. Ari Emanuel Stands With Blake Lively Amidst Controversy
- 2. Lively-Baldoni Dispute: A Heated Hollywood Battle
- 3. What is Ari Emanuel’s stance on the use of social media in this situation, and what does he believe should happen next?
- 4. Ari Emanuel Defends Blake Lively Amidst hollywood Storm
- 5. emanuel: “There’s No Question Blake is Dealing with Something Bad”
- 6. WME’s Involvement and Allegations of Retaliation
Power broker and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel is firmly in Blake Lively’s corner as she navigates a legal and reputational battle against “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
During a recent appearance on Freakonomics Radio Live, Emanuel voiced his strong support for Lively, stating, “It is a fucked up, bad situation with what Bologna … Baldoni … whatever his name is … is doing.”
The situation takes on added complexity as Baldoni was previously a client of Emanuel’s agency, WME, where Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds remain represented. “Until I fired him,” Emanuel clarified.
Emanuel emphasized his long-standing relationship with Lively and Reynolds, underscoring their strong reputation in Hollywood. “I’ve known Ryan and Blake for over a decade. They’re really astonishing people. In Hollywood, they have been incredibly successful. People work with them, they’ve never had any bad mojo out there or treated people badly. They are charitable — we help them with their foundation — they’ve given tons of money away.”
Facing allegations from Lively in a lawsuit, Emanuel expressed his conviction: “If what is alleged in her lawsuit [and] what happened on social media [in terms of Baldoni allegedly planting negative stories about the actress] is true, just because she complained to the studio that things were unhealthy on the set, and that he was director and this man [Jamey Heath] was the producer, and they did to her what is being alleged, they’re really bad people. I know Blake,I know Ryan,they’re good people.”
Baldoni’s team has refuted Lively’s claims, stating that any negative press and social media backlash during the promotional tour for “It Ends With Us” stemmed from Lively’s own actions.They deny any involvement in planting negative stories.
Emanuel, though, maintains his position, urging Baldoni and Heath to stand down from their public attacks on Lively. “Social media is a really good thing at times as it lets people, stars, connect with their fans,” he explained, “but [Baldoni and Heath] used it in an evil way — if that’s true. We just have to be cognizant that it [social media] can ruin people and they should no longer be out there intimidating people using social media now and trying to hurt them and abusing … them. [Baldoni’s team] should just stop, as they think they’re innocent, and let the process play itself out.
This case highlights the complexities of power dynamics and online harassment within the entertainment industry. It underscores the need for accountability and ethical conduct, especially when social media platforms are used to potentially damage individuals’ reputations and careers.
Lively-Baldoni Dispute: A Heated Hollywood Battle
The simmering conflict between actress Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni has escalated into a full-blown legal battle, exposing the complexities and vulnerabilities of the entertainment industry. At the heart of the dispute are allegations of sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign,leaving a trail of damaged reputations and broken trust.
Lively, known for her roles in films like “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl,” accused Baldoni of inappropriate behaviour on the set of their movie “It Ends With Us.” She further alleged that Baldoni, through a crisis management firm, launched a campaign to discredit her. Baldoni vehemently denies these accusations, claiming that Lively refused to meet with an intimacy coordinator he had hired, and retaliated with false allegations.
The conflict has drawn the attention of powerful figures in Hollywood. Ari Emanuel, a prominent talent agent representing Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicly defended Lively, calling baldoni “two bad guys” and expressing outrage over the treatment she received. “They didn’t have [an intimacy coordinator] and then they went after [Lively] on social media, it’s disgusting,” Emanuel said. “she felt that she was not being protected. She complained, and then these people tried to go after her. They should stop. They’re still trying to do it, they should stop. I am a ride or die [for Lively and Reynolds]. And they are good people.”
baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, responded with a strong rebuttal, questioning Emanuel’s loyalty and emphasizing that Baldoni was a client of WME, the agency Emanuel heads, for five years. “Mr. Ari Emanuel is notably one of the best agents,and clearly the most loyal,in Hollywood. 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.”
WME terminated its relationship with Baldoni in December 2022,following Lively’s complaint.However, the agency has denied claims that Reynolds pressured them to drop Baldoni, stating, “In Baldoni’s filing, there is a claim that Reynolds pressured Baldoni’s agent at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere.This is not true. Baldoni’s former representative was not at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere nor was there any pressure from Reynolds or Lively at any time to drop Baldoni as a client.”
Both lively and Baldoni have filed lawsuits against each other, and a trial is expected to commence next year. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for the entertainment industry, potentially setting a precedent for handling allegations of sexual harassment and the role of agencies in protecting their clients.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics within Hollywood. It highlights the vulnerabilities of individuals, particularly women, who may face retaliation for speaking out against misconduct.As the case unfolds, it is indeed crucial to prioritize due process while advocating for a safe and respectful work environment for all.
Ari Emanuel Defends Blake Lively Amidst hollywood Storm
In the wake of a highly publicized legal battle between actress blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni, Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor and a leading figure in Hollywood, has firmly thrown his support behind lively. Emanuel recently spoke candidly about the situation on Freakonomics Radio Live, saying, “It is a fucked up, bad situation with what Bologna… Baldoni… whatever his name is… is doing.”
emanuel: “There’s No Question Blake is Dealing with Something Bad”
The controversy has escalated in recent weeks, with Lively accusing Baldoni of inappropriate behavior on the set of their film “It Ends With Us” and alleging that he orchestrated a smear campaign against her. Baldoni has vehemently denied the accusations, claiming that Lively’s allegations are false and retaliatory.
Archyde: Ari, you’ve known Blake and Ryan Reynolds for over a decade.What’s your perspective on this situation?
Emanuel: I’ve known ryan and Blake for over a decade. They’re really astonishing peopel. in Hollywood, they have been incredibly successful. People work with them, they’ve never had any bad mojo out there or treated people badly. They are charitable – we help them with their foundation – they’ve given tons of money away. It’s just wrong what’s happening to Blake. She felt uncomfortable, they didn’t have an intimacy coordinator, and then they went after her on social media, it’s disgusting.
They should stop. They’re still trying to do it, they should stop.I am a ride or die with Blake and ryan. And they are good people.
WME’s Involvement and Allegations of Retaliation
The situation becomes more complex as baldoni was previously represented by Emanuel’s agency, WME. “Until I fired him,” Emanuel clarified. He went on to express his disapproval of Baldoni’s alleged tactics,stating,“They used this [social media] in an evil way. We just have to be cognizant that it [social media] can ruin people and they should no longer be out there intimidating people using social media now and trying to hurt them and abusing them. [baldoni’s team] should just stop, as they think they’re innocent, and let the process play itself out.”
Archyde: There’s a sense that this case points to a larger issue of power dynamics and accountability within Hollywood. What are your thoughts on that?
Emanuel: This industry is under a microscope right now. People need to be held accountable for their actions. It’s about setting the right tone and making sure everyone feels safe and respected.
It’s time to stop silencing those who come forward with allegations, to encourage open dialog, and to create a culture where people feel empowered to speak out without fear of retribution.
