In a shocking twist, Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer serving a lengthy prison sentence for multiple sex crimes, has come out in support of Justin Baldoni in his ongoing legal battle with Blake Lively. This unexpected backing from Weinstein, who has been at the center of some of the most high-profile legal cases in recent years, is raising eyebrows across Hollywood, especially given his past interactions with Lively.
Weinstein’s Allegiance to Baldoni Amid the Legal War with Lively
Harvey Weinstein’s support for Justin Baldoni in his defamation lawsuit against The New York Times has become a topic of much discussion. Baldoni, the director of It Ends With Us, has filed a $250 million libel suit against the newspaper, claiming that a 2024 article, “‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine,†manipulated communications between his PR team and the press. The article included texts that allegedly suggested Baldoni’s team could “bury anyone,†including Blake Lively, in an apparent smear campaign against the actress. In response, Weinstein expressed his sympathy and understanding of Baldoni’s predicament. "Watching Justin Baldoni take legal action against the New York Times... hit me hard," Weinstein told TMZ. He drew a parallel between Baldoni’s current legal struggle and his own experience with the newspaper in 2017, when The New York Times published an explosive exposé detailing accusations of sexual misconduct against him. Weinstein claims that his own experience with the Times was marred by selective reporting and the omission of critical context. "It brought back everything I experienced when the Times reported on me in 2017," Weinstein continued. "They did the same thing: cherry-picked what fit their story and ignored critical context and facts that could have challenged the narrative."The Fallout of The New York Times Reporting: A Common Ground
Weinstein’s experience with the New York Times was a defining moment in the #MeToo movement. The exposé helped expose decades of sexual abuse allegations, resulting in Weinstein’s criminal conviction. His case became a flashpoint for discussions on sexual harassment in Hollywood, contributing to the widespread reckoning that followed.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni: The Allegations and Counterclaims
While Weinstein is vocal in his support for Baldoni, the legal conflict between Baldoni and Blake Lively remains complex and layered. Lively, who co-starred with Baldoni in It Ends With Us, is suing him for sexual harassment and other allegations. The actress claims that Baldoni made multiple women feel uncomfortable, frequently discussing inappropriate sexual topics on set. In contrast, Baldoni has denied any wrongdoing and is defending himself against Lively’s accusations. Their legal drama is expected to go to trial in 2026, with the two stars locked in a high-stakes legal showdown that has already captivated public attention. Lively’s public relations representative, Leslie Sloane, who has worked closely with the actress and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, has also found herself named as a co-defendant in Baldoni’s lawsuit. Baldoni’s legal team claims that Sloane, who was previously involved in public relations for both Lively and Weinstein, played a role in discrediting him. However, Sloane’s team has firmly denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that she has always supported victims of sexual abuse.