Blake Lively has slammed?The Hollywood Reporter for their recent cover story about her legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. A rep for the actress has released a statement in response to the cover, which features an illustration of Blake using a slingshot to shoot a cellphone at Justin as he tries to run away from her.
Blake Lively has spoken out against The Hollywood Reporter after they released a cover image depicting her and Justin Baldoni in a confrontational scenario. The illustration showed Lively using a slingshot to aim a phone at Baldoni, who was holding a copy of Colleen Hoover's New York bestseller It Ends With Us.
A rep for the 35-year-old actress told?Daily Mail that the cover plays into every sexist trope about women who dare to speak against workplace harassment.
¡°The Hollywood Reporter should be ashamed of itself," the spokesperson for Lively said, adding, "The framing in this picture is outrageously insulting as it plays into every sexist trope about women who dare file a workplace complaint, turning them into the aggressor, and suggesting they deserve the retaliation that comes their way.¡±
The statement added, "In addition, the story is extremely offensive as it incredibly seems to explain away documented examples of sexual harassment and retaliation by calling them ¡®cultural misunderstandings.¡¯¡±
The cover story by THR has ignited controversy by highlighting Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's ongoing legal battle, with a particular focus on Baldoni's Baha'i faith. The article suggests that Baldoni's religious beliefs may have inadvertently contributed to the situation, sparking heated debate.
In the controversial report, the publication?highlighted an accusation from Lively against Baldoni, which mirrors his past statements about his faith. In her complaint to the California Civil Rights Department, Lively alleged that Baldoni told her he could communicate with her "dead father."
The article explored the possibility that the legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni may be rooted in cultural differences rather than gender dynamics. It was proposed that certain behaviors, such as hugging and pre-filming prayers, might be misinterpreted due to a clash between Baldoni's faith-based community and the values of the post-#MeToo era.
The Gossip Girl star's representatives denounced the report as "extremely offensive," criticizing its attempt to justify or downplay instances of sexual harassment as "cultural misunderstandings." Lively's rep emphasized to the Daily Mail that the allegations against Justin Baldoni are based on documented cases of misconduct and retaliation.
Additionally, the cover story about Blake vs. Justin's legal battle also named Jenny Slate as one of the actresses who allegedly filed a complaint against the director. Earlier, Blake had amended her lawsuit against Baldoni, claiming two more women are ready to testify against the actor.
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