Texts Reveal Podcast Co-Host’s Support for Blake Lively Amid Justin Baldoni Lawsuit
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Newly unsealed court documents in the ongoing lawsuit between actor Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively have brought to light revealing texts from Liz Plank, co-host of Baldoni’s podcast “Man Enough.” The messages, sent to Lively, express Plank’s shock and support amid allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation that Lively has brought against Baldoni, which he has denied.
“It’s astounding they have gotten away with so much,” Plank wrote in one of the texts to Lively, underscoring the gravity of the accusations that have rocked the entertainment community. The podcast, launched in 2021, was intended to explore evolving ideas around masculinity and the impact of rigid gender roles. However, the lawsuit filed in 2024 has cast a shadow over the project and its creators.
According to Lively’s sworn declaration, she confided in Plank shortly after meeting Baldoni about a film project, sharing “several negative experiences that she and others had with Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios LLC.” The revelations prompted Plank to resign from the podcast, publicly affirming her commitment to supporting those who “call out injustice and hold the people standing in their way accountable.”
In April 2023, Plank expressed her concerns in a text to Ryan Reynolds, who is married to Lively, stating, “I tried to warn Blake on the red flags but was hoping [Justin] had gotten better.” She described working on Baldoni’s set as “one of the worst days of my life,” yet pledged to help Lively navigate the ordeal. The following month, Plank sent Lively another message acknowledging she wished she had been more direct about the dysfunction she witnessed. “I know you already know this but none of this is your fault,” she wrote.
Plank’s texts further reveal her belief that Lively’s confrontation with Baldoni and his associates has unsettled them. “I also think they’ve never met their match… You’re confronting them to have to see who they really are. You’re meant to take this on because you’re strong enough to!” she encouraged.
She also emphasized her solidarity, stating, “I’ve purposely stayed out of it and haven’t asked or talked to them at all about the film because I’m standing by you regardless.” The messages highlight the complex dynamics behind the scenes and the support networks forming around Lively.
Sigrid McCawley, an attorney on Lively’s legal team, told BuzzFeed News, “The newly unsealed, damning documents show the consistent reaction numerous women, cast, crew, executives, partners, co-host and even his own PR team had working with Justin Baldoni.”
The case has drawn attention to broader conversations about workplace misconduct in Hollywood, echoing efforts by organizations such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to address harassment and retaliation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also emphasizes the importance of safe and respectful work environments, including in entertainment industries.
Representatives for both Liz Plank and Justin Baldoni have been contacted for comment but have not issued statements. As the lawsuit proceeds, the public and industry observers await further developments in what has become a high-profile dispute involving allegations of misconduct and accountability.
For more on workplace rights and protections, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division provides resources on harassment and retaliation policies.
The revelations from these texts add a new dimension to the ongoing legal battle, illustrating the personal toll and the complexities of confronting entrenched power structures in Hollywood.
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