Jenny Slate Stands with Costar Blake Lively After 'Disturbing' Justin Baldoni Claims: 'I Admire Her Bravery'
Jenny Slate remarked of her co-star in “It Ends With Us,” “Blake is a leader, devoted friend, and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her.”
Following Blake Lively’s sexual harassment complaint against their director-costar Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate is expressing support for Lively.
In a statement obtained by TODAY.com on Monday, December 23, Slate, 42, described the accusations in Lively’s complaint as “terribly dark” and “disturbing.”
Slate stated, “As Blake Lively’s friend and co-star, I express my support as she takes action against those who are alleged to have orchestrated and executed an attack on her reputation.” “For me and many others who know and love her, Blake is a leader, a devoted friend, and a reliable source of emotional support.”
“What has come to light regarding Blake’s attack is extremely sinister, unsettling, and extremely dangerous,” she continued. “I applaud my friend, I respect her courage, and I support her.”
PEOPLE’s request for comment from Slate’s representatives was not answered.
After Lively, 37, filed a complaint against Baldoni, months after rumors of drama on-set on It Ends With Us started to circulate, Slate is one of several former co-stars who have publicly expressed support for the actress. In the movie, Baldoni portrayed Slate’s character’s brother.
Lively filed a lawsuit against 40-year-old Baldoni, who directed and co-starred in the film, alleging sexual harassment and planning a retaliatory smear campaign. Lively claims that Jed Wallace, Melissa Nathan, Jennifer Abel, producer Jamey Heath, Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios, and its co-founder Steve Sarowitz were all involved in the coordinated attempt to damage her reputation.
According to the complaint, Baldoni’s alleged acts, which included “invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional, and sexually inappropriate behavior,” caused Lively to “struggle with grief, fear, trauma, and extreme anxiety.”
In a statement released on December 21, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman referred to Lively’s accusations as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt.” Since then, Baldoni’s talent agency has fired him.
On December 23, Brandon Sklenar, who costarred with Lively, Baldoni, and Slate in the film, posted a screenshot of Lively’s complaint to his Instagram Stories along with a link to the New York Times’ legal document archive. He tagged Lively’s Instagram account and wrote, “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS.”
Colleen Hoover, whose best-selling book served as the inspiration for the film It Ends With Us, also defended Lively.
In an August interview for It Ends With Us, Slate and Lively talked about how they first connected when Lively hosted Saturday Night Live in 2009 and bonded over parenthood and family life.
At the time, Slate told etonightdaily, “My friends have always been my real heroes because they’ve provided stability and light in times of darkness or complication.” “I will always be thankful that I was able to collaborate with Blake and develop that relationship on this movie.”
