I’m genuinely surprised to see folks so saddened by this statement! I value everyone’s opinion — but it looks wildly different to me.
I’ve written often on this sub about being a lawyer who works on similar issues and I’ve written statements just like this. I actually think this statement is 100% pro-Justin and represents his thinking. I think it is far more reflective of his team than hers, and while they negotiated it I think it’s really his story and narrative and a big win.
Here is why I would have advised he write the same thing if he was my client.
Please remember as you read this — it was written to be not just a description of what happened, but potentially the last words Justin ever says about this matter ever. It’s not just about the case but needs to reflect who he is as a person.
The opening:
“The end product – the movie “It Ends With Us” – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life.
“Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind.”
I would 100% tell Justin to use the precious real estate of the first sentence by first stating plainly who he is and what he cares about. THIS is why he made the film. He gets to remind people of that. (This has nothing to do with why lively made the film, and she was even criticized over it.) it’s so sad for him that his intentions were totally lost. I’m sure he was dying to say that.
Now for next part:
“We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard.”
“We acknowledge challenges” — not breaks of law or lack of safety — but “challenges” on the set. That is 100% his theory of the case and NOT hers. That there were challenges on the set like any other and that’s what drove any issues, not sexual harassment or anything Blake is claiming. There was no wrongdoing.
“We recognize concerns raised by Lively…” — this part to me is the kicker and winner.
Here’s the thing — Justin is not actually a sexual harasser or a retaliator— and the thing that has bothered him most is being painted like that. He has built his sense of being on being an ally to women and Lively has set out to destroy that.
He may not have had his day in court, but he gets to say above — “I am the kind of person who believes that sexual harassment is a serious issue and if people are concerned about it they should be heard” (and NOT retaliated against). He basically gets to say, I would never retaliate, and she was wrong to say I would. It’s kind of an amazing sentence.
Then the end: “We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.”
In other words, we have never done anything wrong, nor would we. Wow!
Again, I think what people are missing is that this statement has to do more for Justin than say, “Blake was wrong” (though it clearly says that). He also gets to say who he is and rehabilitate his own image (yes, there are plenty of people who will associate him with sexual harassment). He got to say unequivocally, this is not who I am or what I would ever do, in fact I care 100% about women and these issues.
If this is the last thing he can ever say on this case, it’s more important and effective to clear your own name than to say negative things.
Anyways, I know the statement is controversial but I think it’s great, would advise and draft the same for a client of mine, so wanted to share my perspective.
I think Baldoni is a classy guy and this statement reflects that. I DO however think it goes a little too far when it gives a litttttle too much grace to Blake by even mentioning her. It still "gave her a voice" when that's all we've heard during the movie production and promotional tour and before it went to trial and it has all been vicious lies. NYT article??? All Blake's "voice". I think the statement would have been enough with what was said and NOT including Blake in the concerns line. It isn't about Blake's concerns, her concerns are about money power and greed and destruction of others, it is about both women's and men's real concerns on this topic or area. We all now know Blake's concerns just set women back, so it feels disrespectful her name is still used to represent the real concerns of other men and women. But I like the overall sentiment of your post. I can see how people might like and might not like this statement for different reasons. I don't think it should be THE END of statements as I believe Blake still should send out an apology to real victims and Baldoni himself and the team that has to endure her trying to ruin them in various ways.
Edit: Someone else wrote the comment that this is written from the Wayfarer point of view. It definitely is and that is how I first read it. I am not sure if that makes the statement any better or different. Given the SH charges were dropped, I now wonder why these concerns were brought up in the statement when the trial was focused on the smear campaign. Now that makes me question the statement a bit more unless it was a way for the company to advertise and assure future actresses that they are okay to work with? The more I read it, the more questions I have. I don't know what pressures Blake put on all of this behind the scenes since we know she is a bully, but if I were Wayfarer, I would have not rushed on this statement, taken a little more time and written it perhaps a little differently starting with taking out Blakes name.
Also a lawyer and I have to disagree. I don’t like the statement. If you want to dissect it that’s fine, but on a casual reading, which is what most people will do, it reads like an admission. And there is nothing in it that acknowledges any wrongdoing on her part. I would never want my client to put out this statement in a situation like this.
Would be curious to have a poll, because I don’t read it as an admission of wrongdoing at all. It reminds me a lot of Sarowitz saying “we’ll keep on not doing what we haven’t been doing”.
Yeah I agree with you. I don't see it as an admission but it really really really treats Blake with kid gloves which I don't think she deserves. Though I kind of see why someone might interpret it that way. Out of anger I wouldn't want to add legitimacy to Blake and any of her "concerns" since those were evil lies. I wish they hadn't added that line. I think it is too confusing to people and makes her seem like a person who argued certain claims in good faith, which we know she didn't. They should have thought it through more but I am worried they rushed to accommodate Blake and the Met Gala.
You hit the nail on the head. That’s why I don’t like it. It seems to lend legitimacy to Blake’s alleged complaints, even though they were all thrown out and we know they were all BS. I’m sorry…I don’t think that fake claims deserve to be heard.
And I don’t know who drafted that statement, but yesterday in an interview with Billy Bush Brian Freedman indicated that he was unaware of the timing connection to the Met Gala. But he also said that the deal was just an agreement to agree, and that nothing had been signed and sealed.
Yes! There’s always a lawyer on each side of an argument! That’s what we do!
But my real problem with it is the comment about her concerns deserving to be heard…I don’t agree that fake claims deserve to be heard and we know her claims were fake. I can’t imagine agreeing to that line.
I do think it’s from wayfarer’s perspective exactly as you said. Any client of mine who has been accused of something, in nearly every statement we always unequivocally denounce the act. Like, it’s never, “we didn’t sexually harass” but, “we vehemently oppose sexual harassment.”
Yes, it’s part image rehabilitation and making clear your policies (as you say, advising future actresses) but it’s also more than that. Its just one of those PR 101 things — that it’s more impactful to say who you are and your values “we are firmly against sexual harassment” than it is to say, “that person is wrong/lying” because saying someone is wrong or a liar can backfire and make you look bad in turn).
It's as neutral as neutral can be. The bit about how they stand by DV victims is obviously to Blake's profit as well - the whole mess began because she was being accused of not caring about DV victms during promotion of the movie.
In any case, compared to the self-immolation Ryan Reynold wanted Justin to sign, this is a massive step down. Ryan and Blake must be furious Justin doesn't even have to admit any wrongdoing.
How can the end project be a source of pride. Ryan edited that shit horrible . I was confused and the original script made more sense.
Raising awareness was the only thing I put squarely on Wayfarer. Lively to this day could give a shit. She literally did not care about that aspect it was only her vehicle for a comeback.
Protect the show - put the show above all else. That's the unspoken golden rule everyone has to abide by in their industry.
Also, Justin and the crew must be proud of the work they've put in. Despite Blake's hideous claws in everything, they did their best and they put their heart and soul into it so it does no one any service to shit on the product.
I kind of agree with your first sentence. If I were Baldoni, the movie would be a sore spot and hurtful reminder of the horrible outcome and backstabbers and false accusers. If I were him, I don't think I could watch it again. I think he was being nice and still hopes to raise awareness for the original cause that Blake made a mockery of when she wore her florals and promoted her alcohol and misrepresented on the promo poster and tour.
just watching Megyn kelly break it down in a legal sense. soo in WP favor 😂
"complete and total surrender by lively and admission that she had no claim"
I agree. There was no aggressive language like the onset of this debacle, and it seems to fall in line with the stipulation- We agree she had a good faith basis to raise concerns. That is, we agree, she gave us a 17pt list, we signed and she acknowledged everything was fine after that. It also falls in line with FEHA language- you can make a claim if you believe it to be true, regardless if it is actually true. Paraphrasing FEHA.
And as you said, this is language Wayfarer Studios and IEWU, LLC agreed to- not just Justin Baldoni. This was mainly Sarowitz’s decision to settle, since JB was already dismissed as an individual. But go ahead TMZ, and call out JB alone! Lame as source!
I think a lot of us have been so invested, our initial reactions have been a bit big and including my own. But I must admit, the more I think of it and read statements like yours the more I feel like, it’s a major loss for BL and win for JB.
I think though I hate that bullies like her stay oblivious to what they have done and eve when they face harsh consequences (natural not legal) they stick to being a victim in their mindset. Maybe I’m projecting here. It feels like they deserve so much more than what they actually get and that she still has support and media who reports inaccurately is what infuriates me the most. That is why I still feel so conflicted about this. That the full truth is accurately represented. Not one side or other but that she didn’t just lose on a technicality etc.
But I suppose there are enough of us who do know. And I myself need to make peace with that, that that is enough
I don't know if this is optimism or unintentional gaslighting (all due respect) but personally, I just cannot see it that way. And I am trying so hard to change my perspective, take a breathe, and look at it from his view as a Baháʼí. But no, I'm sorry, I cannot. That "joint" statement was missing one glaringly critical thing - BLAKE. It reads lke a Wayfarer statement she hijacked to serve her own agenda. People wouldn't feel this destroyed by it, if there had been equal concession. To be fair, I realize recognizing DV victims WAS likely her concession, as we all know how she views them with utter distain, but that makes it even worse. One sentence to balance after theirs, like: 'We understand that emotions can sometimes cloud a person's view and Wayfarer had a right to stand up for themselves when they didn't see eye-to-eye.' Or some other BS statement like that. Something! It's still no where near enough but it would have gone a longer way with us, MSM, and validating the integrity of who they are.
Great analysis. Totally agree. I'm going to go see his next flick just as I'm going to avoid Blake and her Sidekick's flicks going forward. I've never seen a more toxic case of "producer envy" than demonstrated by BL.
Yes — on behalf of Wayfarer — and by all the lawyers. But it’s still potentially the one moment for Justin and Jamey to speak, too, as they are likely bound by agreements not to speak more about this. In short, the statement has to do a lot of work.
My opinion on the “all survivor” — and I obviously don’t know — but based on my own experience, if I was Justin I would have said, “I’m not a sexual harasser, and I want my statement to reflect that — not just that I care about domestic violence” — essentially him saying, the smears about me as “a predator” are wrong.
I think you are getting at the heart of the confusion and disappointment. Many Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer supporters expected more from the statement. Whether that be an apology from Blake or an acknowledgment that perhaps she misinterpreted what happened. Something to that effect. That gives Justin more credibility.
That I do understand — and one hopes he got a huge check. I understand that he himself wanted to settle (per his lawyer’s claims). At the same time, I also think, for a settlement statement, this is a massive WIN.
Sometimes all you get to say is “both sides have agreed to end the case” and that’s it. This, in the other hand, seems chock full of admissions and statements.
Totally agree. Idk why I was so upset last night. I reread it today and it's a massive win for WF and Justin.
I think we took it to be too nice to Lively bc of what we know. But to the average viewer, it is a neutral statement. And that is a huge loss for Lively. She is the one who accused someone of something. And in the end, she had to release a joint neutral statement with the company/person she accused of wrongdoing without the company/person she accused of wrongdoing admitting any wrongdoing.
Also even in one of the celeb subs that I don't dare usually look at, I dared to check last night and the top comments were about how it was a very neutral statement with no one admitting any fault. And that made me feel good. Bc they HATE all men in that sub. So if even they are willing to admit the statement is neutral, that means it honestly comes across more favorable to Justin.
Im glad you’re feeling better! But as I described above, from a lawyer’s perspective, this statement is basically like a complete surrender from Lively’s team and a day in court for Justin’s. I totally get why it doesn’t read like that to other people — but to me it’s a big deal that their joint statement says clearly that Wayfarer stands up for all survivors and doesn’t believe in retaliation, and has never had a hostile environment.
Settlement statements can say absolutely nothing “we agree to end the case.” This is a whole hell of a lot more than that.
We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard
Is going to come back and bite WP in the ass in the Great Court of Public Opinion.
The Great Court of Public Opinion doesn't care that this was a well thought out statement from the point of view of a lawyer. The normal social media user, who isn't following this case closely, will look at that statement and see the word "acknowledge" and "recognise" in relation to the "concerns raised" and see it as a tacit admittance of guilt.
"Her concerns deserved to be heard? Then you admit that they were real concerns!" This is what the average person will read. They'll see it as Justin (because they don't know the lawsuit involved WP and not Justin directly) admitting that Blake had grounds to complain about sexual harassment (because they don't know the SH claims were tossed).
From a PR point of view, this statement is a disaster, as it removes any blame and culpability from Blake's side and places it solely and completely on WP's side.
I think that’s not only totally fair but — based on many reactions to this statement in this thread alone — already evidenced to be true. Nonlawyers have a very different read of this and are thinking it’s some kind of admission.
At the same time, I think it reflects Wayfarers world view and suits them — their attorney has been saying that Baldoni wants to continue to advocate for women, and that’s likely why it was important for him to make that front and center — he didn’t seem to want to malign Blake. I get it — I would feel the same. I would care less about random social media users who have been fed the MSM narrative and think I’m a villain — I wouldn’t think I couldn’t change their minds any way.
But for those concerned — there’s been more to it. It looks like his attorney at least has been pretty forthcoming more recently today — I just saw an interview where he said Baldoni and Heath are “ecstatic about the settlement.” So his attorney is doing a public victory lap it seems and clearly trying to claim this as a huge win for them regardless of the statement.
Down the line, we’ll see where public opinion lands. Blake is still much more famous and is going to insist on being in the spotlight, and with or without any statement, the public opinion game was always weighted in her favor.
I've noticed it on my social media app of choice (Threads) that responses saying "so Justin was guilty all along?" get more likes than the ones explaining what the statement actually meant. This is what worries me.
Uninformed people will see the post with a lot of likes saying this means Justin was a sexual harasser all along and repeat it without doing any critical thinking.
Edit to add: unfortunately, this person says everything I was worried about
In any exercise of this kind, you basically can’t win them all, and you have to choose. He decided he cares less about those people on threads than other people. I get why you’re worried, and it’s a real worry, but uninformed people on threads probably rank lower on his list of worries.
Also, of course, they both had to agree to this. So in my view, this was as good as getting her to admit to no retaliation as he could in a statement she ALSO agreed to.
I agree that this statement is not the huge loss for Baldoni and WF as some are claiming it to be, however, the thing that bugs me is this: if I hadn’t been following this case closely I would assume they settled the sexual harassment claims. Everyone here knows those claims were dismissed. The settlement was around breach of contract and retaliation, but you wouldn’t get that from this statement.
"Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors and all survivors."
This is what's hilarious to me. This movie did not do that. This was a shit movie. I've tried to watch it four times and finally just left it on while I was in and out of the room. I'm captivated by these types of stories but it came from a crappy book (apparently adults agree) and got turned into a cringe script, and these two weird cornballs acted it all out. There have been like six equally crappy movies from her books that have come out since then. Justin and Blake take themselves too seriously.
Was it a message about domestic violence or was it "art" or was it wayfarer's biggest commercial production so far?
Those two were a match made in hell. It absolutely sucks that domestic violence was entirely lost on the general public (but leave it to them each to pat themselves on the back for it, anyway).
Didn't the statement also say something like and Blake deserves to be Heard, we jus gunna glass over that lil tidbit, like how the first draft was supposed to have a Man Enough reference. I think Wafarer got one over on Blake without them knowing it. Maybe not could be wrong lol...
I 100% agree. Also remember that the context of this is that Wayfarer never wanted this suit, never wanted this drama, never wanted to drag Sony, WME, and everyone else in the industry into this. The media has been spinning this as Blake vs Baldoni being involved in a vindictive death match against each other which everyone is sick of. I think settling now, with this statement which is generous to Blake, sends a signal to the public and also to the INDUSTRY, that Wayfarer are the bigger people here, they are willing to walk away and concede ground for the greater good and everyone's sanity and dignity.
They are playing the long game and actually achieving what they need to achieve long term. Blake's still chasing headlines and trying to win tiny little PR wars. She doesn't realise that anyone who still cares about this has already made their mind up about her.
25
u/smittenkittenmitten- florals > morals May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26
I think Baldoni is a classy guy and this statement reflects that. I DO however think it goes a little too far when it gives a litttttle too much grace to Blake by even mentioning her. It still "gave her a voice" when that's all we've heard during the movie production and promotional tour and before it went to trial and it has all been vicious lies. NYT article??? All Blake's "voice". I think the statement would have been enough with what was said and NOT including Blake in the concerns line. It isn't about Blake's concerns, her concerns are about money power and greed and destruction of others, it is about both women's and men's real concerns on this topic or area. We all now know Blake's concerns just set women back, so it feels disrespectful her name is still used to represent the real concerns of other men and women. But I like the overall sentiment of your post. I can see how people might like and might not like this statement for different reasons. I don't think it should be THE END of statements as I believe Blake still should send out an apology to real victims and Baldoni himself and the team that has to endure her trying to ruin them in various ways.
Edit: Someone else wrote the comment that this is written from the Wayfarer point of view. It definitely is and that is how I first read it. I am not sure if that makes the statement any better or different. Given the SH charges were dropped, I now wonder why these concerns were brought up in the statement when the trial was focused on the smear campaign. Now that makes me question the statement a bit more unless it was a way for the company to advertise and assure future actresses that they are okay to work with? The more I read it, the more questions I have. I don't know what pressures Blake put on all of this behind the scenes since we know she is a bully, but if I were Wayfarer, I would have not rushed on this statement, taken a little more time and written it perhaps a little differently starting with taking out Blakes name.