Brandon Sklenar stood alongside other industry stars in a show of support for Blake Lively following her sexual harassement complaint against Justin Baldoni.
Sklenar, who played Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, shared an Instagram Story urging his followers to read the complaint filed by the Gossip Girl alum.
The film was an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel and saw Lively play the character of Lily Bloom while Justin directed the movie and played the role of Ryle Kincaid.
Highlights
- Brandon Sklenar shared a message to show his support for Blake Lively following a sexual harassment controversy.
- Since the promotion for the film 'It Ends With Us,' rumors of disagreements between Justin Baldoni and Lively emerged.
- Lively accused Baldoni of creating a “hostile work environment” and treating her like an “object.”
- “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS,” Sklenar said in a message supporting the actress.
Brandon Sklenar shared a message to show his support for Blake Lively following a sexual harassement controversy
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Image credits: Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images
Rumors about strife between Baldoni and Lively have been surrounding the film for months, and the controversy continues to unravel after the 37-year-old actress filed the legal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.
Sklenar expressed his support by sharing a screenshot of her complaint as an Instagram Story on Monday, December 23.
“FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS,” wrote the 34-year-old actor. He also included a link to the New York Times' archive of the legal documents.
Amid rumors of disagreements on the It Ends with Us set, Sklenar had shared a lengthy message on social media in August to address the “stuff swirling online.”
Justin Baldoni was accused of creating a “hostile work environment” and treating her like an “object,” as per Lively's complaint
Image credits: Araya Doheny/Getty Images
“Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves,” he wrote in a fiery message.
“Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about,” the 1923 star wrote.
“It is, in fact, the opposite of the point. What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film,” he continued. “It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”
It Ends With Us has been rife with rumors of disagreements between Baldoni and the Gossip Girl alum
Image credits: Sony Pictures
Lively’s complaint was filed against not only Baldoni but also his production company Wayfarer Studios, its co-founder Steve Sarowitz, It Ends with Us lead producer Jamey Heath, and others.
The complaint is expected to lead to a discrimination lawsuit in California.
In her complaint, The Shallows actress accused her co-star of creating a “hostile work environment” during the movie’s production and later orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation.
Sklenar, who played Atlas Corrigan in the movie, took Lively's side in the unraveling controversy
Image credits: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Image credits: JoBlo Movie Clips
She also alleged that he treated her as a “sex object” and allowed his “friends” to watch her film intimate scenes. He also allegedly entered her trailer while she was naked on one occasion and would fixate over her weight and physical appearance.
The red carpet queen further accused the director of hiring PR experts Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel and conspiring with them to create a social media campaign to “help change” the “narrative” against her.
Text messages allegedly exchanged between Baldoni and Abel show him asking her “what is the TikTok strategy.”
“I’d like you guys to start posting me ONLY talking about domestic violence and clips and why this movie is so important,” he said in one text.
Sklenar was one among several celebrities who pledged support for the red carpet queen
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Image credits: Jake's Takes
Bryan Freedman, the lawyer representing Baldoni, responded to the claims against his client and called Lively’s complaint “categorically false.”
Abel also posted a statement on social media, defending the text messages she exchanged with Baldoni and other PR experts.
“What the cherry picked messages don’t include, although not shockingly as it doesn’t fit the narrative, is that there was no ‘smear’ implemented,” she wrote. “No negative press was ever facilitated, no social combat plan, although we were prepared for it as it’s our job to be ready for any scenario.”
“FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS,” Sklenar wrote in an Instagram Story and shared a link to the legal complaint
Image credits: brandonsklenar
“But we didn’t have to implement anything because the internet was doing the work for us,” continued the PR expert. “Sure we talked about it, contemplated if we needed certain things, flagged accounts that we needed to monitor, worked with a social team to help us stay on top of the narrative so we could act quickly if needed.”
“And yes, we rejoiced and joked in the fact that fans were recognizing our clients heart and work without us having to do anything but keep our heads down and focus on positive interviews for our client,” she added.
A number of industry heavyweights have expressed support for Blake in light of the sexual harassment controversy.
Author Colleen wrote on social media, “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met.”
“Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt,” she added.
“Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance,” Sklenar wrote in a passionate statement shared in August
Fellow stars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel, who starred alongside Lively in Sister of the Traveling Pants, released a joint statement.
“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,” read their statement.
“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,” the statement continued.
“Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety,” they added. “The hypocrisy is astounding.”
Amy Schumer also pledged support with three simple words: “I believe Blake.”
“I love that she is getting support,” one social media user said
