Amber Heard Supports Blake Lively Amid Legal Struggles
The recent hiring of Justin Baldoni’s PR team, known for their association with Johnny Depp during his highly publicized trial against Amber Heard, has raised eyebrows. This connection has now led to a series of legal issues for Baldoni, headlined by Blake Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against him. Notably, Lively has accused his crisis management team of attempting a smear campaign against her, prompting Heard to voice her support for the actress.
Amber Heard, in a statement provided to NBC News, expressed deep empathy for Lively’s situation, having endured a similarly targeted attack during her own 2022 trial against Depp. She remarked, “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’”
“I saw this firsthand and up close.”
Despite Johnny Depp being awarded $15 million in damages from their defamation case, Heard’s award was only $2 million, and the negative sentiments she faced online have had far-reaching effects on her well-being. This backlash has led Heard to significantly step back from acting and relocate to Spain, where she could find some semblance of privacy.
Controversy Surrounding the Film Adaptation of It Ends With Us
Earlier this year, as anticipation grew for the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel, the focus shifted from the film’s release to rumored tensions between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. It appears that the larger cast rallied around Lively, against the backdrop of her legal issues with Baldoni.
Lively has made significant allegations against Baldoni, including claims of astroturfing—a method used to create the illusion of organic support or dissent regarding an issue, often to mislead the public.
The situation became more precarious when reports surfaced indicating that Baldoni had enlisted the services of Johnny Depp’s publicist, Jennifer Abel. This recruitment raised questions about Baldoni’s intentions amidst a wave of negative media coverage aimed at Lively. Following Abel’s hiring, critiques of Lively resurfaced across various platforms, reminiscent of the hostile online environment surrounding Amber Heard during her trial.
Allegations Revealed: Internal Communications and Strategies
According to a detailed report by The New York Times, Lively’s lawsuit cites messages exchanged between Baldoni and his PR team, strategizing ways to manipulate online perceptions to protect Baldoni’s image while undermining Lively’s credibility. One text reportedly stated, “We can bury anyone,” capturing the intent behind these tactics. Further communications indicated the team recognizing and even celebrating the negative social media reactions aimed at Lively.
This situation highlights the societal tendency to side with male figures in controversies involving women, often swayed by external narratives. Both Heard and Lively have faced significant scrutiny, as they do not fit the mold of a ‘perfect victim,’ which complicates their narratives and diminishes public sympathy, regardless of the evidence supporting their claims.
As this legal drama unfolds, it shines a light on the ongoing conversation surrounding gender dynamics, public perception, and the resilience needed in the face of unjust public trials.
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