Jenny Slate’s Texts Reveal Harsh Criticism of Justin Baldoni Amid Ongoing Legal Battle
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — As the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni intensifies, newly unsealed documents have shed light on actress Jenny Slate’s candid and damning remarks about Baldoni’s behavior and public image. The revelations come amid Lively’s lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation during the production of the film It Ends with Us, allegations Baldoni has strongly denied.
In a series of text messages and deposition excerpts obtained by BuzzFeed News, Slate described Baldoni as a “false ally” and expressed unwillingness to support the image he has cultivated as a “male feminist.” She wrote, “Justin is truly a false ally and I’m unwilling to do anything that promotes the image that he’s crafting as a ‘male feminist’ … honestly I have no words to describe what a fraud he is.”
Slate’s testimony detailed uncomfortable experiences on set, including an incident where Baldoni reportedly commented on her appearance, saying, “I can say this because my wife is here, but you look sexy in what you’re wearing.” She characterized the remark as “unwanted” and “inappropriate” in a professional environment. During her deposition, she recalled confronting Baldoni after he described Lively as “sexy” and “hot,” comments that are central to Lively’s harassment claims.
“It never was appropriate, but it’s not appropriate in a workplace,” Slate testified. “The comment was about me, not my character. It wasn’t useful for my work. It wasn’t anything I wanted.”
Beyond personal interactions, Slate’s texts also criticized Baldoni’s public persona and his TED Talk on masculinity, calling him “worse than most of the bros I’ve encountered” due to his “general fragility and misogyny.” She further described the production environment as “really gross and disturbing,” adding that she was not alone in feeling this way.
The unsealed documents reveal that Slate’s reservations extended to promotional activities, where she explicitly refused to participate in press engagements with Baldoni or his producing partner, Jamey Heath, whom she described as “truly unprofessional.” Texts from Baldoni’s legal team reportedly warned Slate’s representatives that her career could suffer if she sided with Lively.
These revelations come as the lawsuit moves closer to trial, with Lively’s legal team emphasizing the weight of the newly disclosed evidence. Sigrid McCawley, representing Lively, stated, “The newly unsealed evidence contains never-before seen testimony, messages, and evidence from numerous eyewitnesses backing the claims in Ms. Lively’s lawsuit.” She added that the documentation shows concerns about harassment were raised as early as spring 2023 and that the production company Wayfarer allegedly attempted to suppress these complaints through retaliation.
Wayfarer has denied all allegations of sexual harassment. Meanwhile, Baldoni has consistently denied any wrongdoing. BuzzFeed News has reached out to Baldoni’s legal representatives for comment.
This case highlights ongoing conversations about workplace conduct and accountability in Hollywood, echoing broader efforts by organizations like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to address sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. The trial will likely draw further scrutiny to the dynamics behind the scenes of high-profile productions.
As the court date approaches, the public awaits how these complex allegations and personal testimonies will influence the outcome of the lawsuit and the reputations of those involved. For more information on workplace harassment laws and protections, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides resources and guidance.
Additional details about the case and related testimonies can be found through official court documents and statements from involved parties, reflecting a growing demand for transparency and justice in entertainment industry practices.
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