(Image Credit: NBC)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWayfarer alleges that \u201cJones and Jonesworks made one or more statements\u201d to Blake Lively, to Ryan Reynolds, and to publicist Leslie Sloane.<\/p>\n
These alleged statements were \u201cto the effect that Wayfarer had retaliated against Lively and others for reporting alleged sexual misconduct.\u201d<\/p>\n
The retaliation was \u201cincluding orchestrating a \u2018smear campaign\u2019 by propagating false and misleading narratives about Lively for the purpose of damaging her image and reputation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many in the general public might consider these to be statements of fact. <\/p>\n
However, Baldoni and Wayfarer consider these statements to be defamatory \u2014 meaning that Jones made these statements and knew them to be false.<\/p>\nSpeaking on a podcast, Justin Baldoni emphasizes the importance of breaking cycles. (Image Credit: YouTube)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPart of the suit hinges upon the claims against Baldoni being false<\/h2>\n Baldoni and Wayfarer\u2019s argument doesn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n
\u201cWayfarer alleges that Jones knew the statement she made to Sloane was false,\u201d the lawsuit alleges.<\/p>\n
The documents continue: \u201c\u2018As not only was she well aware that Lively had not actually been sexually harassed on set, she also knew that there had been not been a \u2018smear campaign.’\u201d That\u2019s \u2026 interesting.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is clear because Jones was copied on many of Wayfarer\u2019s email and text threads during the relevant period,\u201d the lawsuit alleges. \u201cAnd knew full well that Wayfarer was scarcely engaging with the press at all in August 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n
The documents went so far as to allege: \u201cMuch less carrying out offensive tactics in retaliation for something that never happened.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\nAs a guest on \u2018The Jennifer Hudson Show,\u2019 Justin Baldoni sits and chats. (Image Credit: Warner Bros. Productions)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAs we noted, Jones filed to dismiss the lawsuit.<\/p>\n
However, the court declined to dismiss the defamation allegations.<\/p>\n
The reasoning is that it is possible that \u201cJones was in a position to know the veracity of her statements at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n
It sounds like Wayfarer is going to essentially force Jones to prove that she didn\u2019t speak to Lively on the topic.<\/p>\n
Or to prove that there was a smear campaign against Lively, and that Baldoni orchestrated it.<\/p>\n\n\n
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