Movies

Colleen Hoover Faces Backlash for Supporting Blake Lively in Hollywood Feud

BBG News

A public relations expert recently commented that Colleen Hoover may have jeopardized her reputation and career by becoming involved in the dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

In a lively screen version of Hoover’s 2016 bestseller ‘It Ends With Us’, actors aged 37 and 41, known as Lively and Baldoni respectively, are currently embroiled in a prolonged legal dispute over the project.

In December, Lively brought forth a lawsuit against Baldoni, not only starring in but also directing the movie, alleging instances of sexual harassment during the production of the popular romantic drama.

The day following the court submission, Hoover seemed to support Lively on her Instagram posts, according to People’s reports.

@BlakeLively, you’ve consistently been truthful, considerate, encouraging, and understanding ever since our first encounter,” it’s said Hoover wrote beside a photo of them both hugging at a screening event. “Thank you for being the exceptional individual that you are. Always stay genuine. Never falter.

Following persistent criticism for ignoring Baldoni (who later filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively and her husband Reynolds), Hoover temporarily disabled her social media platforms in late January. However, she reactivated them again in February, noticeably without any images that previously included Lively.

Upon her comeback, several fans have criticized her on numerous posts, alleging she’s attempting to conceal past comments and threatening to avoid her upcoming ventures.

Ryan McCormick, who specializes in reputation management and is a managing partner at Goldman McCormick PR, expressed to Fox News his view that Hoover might face potential dissatisfaction among her fanbase, given she’s now engaged in an adaptation of her 2018 book ‘Verity.’

In the same vein as ‘It Ends With Us’, this film boasts an illustrious ensemble of actors, featuring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett.

McCormick stated, “Hoover’s career may be impacted somehow due to the ongoing conflict between Lively and Baldoni.

‘This author is quite successful and has a substantial number of readers. To her fans, we ask: “Are you considering giving up on Colleen, whose stories have brought you joy, due to circumstances that are out of her hands?” Some might do so, but I believe most won’t.’

In a social media post on Instagram advertising the ‘Verity’ movie, many enthusiasts expressed their thoughts and emotions in the comment section.

It’s really disheartening to see you pick Blake over Justin, especially given that he was treated unfairly through bullying. Such reprehensible actions.

It’s disappointing how you’ve managed this situation. You shouldn’t back a bully; instead, you should have defended Justin. I strongly recommend that he gets another chance to remake the movie without Blake and Ryan involved. If they’re not removed, I won’t be watching any more of your films.

McCormick advised Hoover to avoid any involvement in this intense matter altogether, and refrain from referring to Lively or Baldoni for some time to come.

As an ardent admirer, I can hardly contain my excitement! Beyond eagerly awaiting the release of ‘Verity’ (still without a confirmed air date), the creator has also embarked on the cinematic adaptation of their 2019 novel, ‘Regretting You.’ Can’t wait to immerse myself in these captivating stories!

Scheduled for a 2025 release, it will star Allison Williams, McKenna Grace and Dave Franco.

McCormick stated that he doesn’t expect any of these actors, or indeed any actor in Hollywood, to be deterred by her involvement with Lively and Baldoni.

If there’s a significant rise in public criticism against Hoover, I could understand why some celebrities might be hesitant, according to McCormick. However, he clarified that she had no involvement in the major conflict at hand.

Adrienne Uthe, the founder and strategic consultant at Kronus Communications, shared with Fox News that Hoover must navigate a delicate balance in dealing with this predicament.

Originally, Uthe supported Blake Lively, but later chose to stay impartial about the matter, as maintaining an unbiased position is crucial for potential future collaborations.

Instead of offering a complete apology, it might be beneficial for her to release a statement that clears up her position as being impartial. Currently, her strong alignment with Blake might raise concerns about her neutrality, and this could potentially harm her image.

Instead, Hoover made a ‘mistake based on personal feelings’ instead of considering it a long-term problem for his career.

or

Hoover’s choice to support Lively was not viewed as a professional issue that would impact his career in the long run, but rather as a decision influenced by personal feelings.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I find myself compelled to address the recent cover of The Hollywood Reporter, featuring Lively and Baldoni. I personally view this portrayal as both sexist and outrageously disrespectful. It’s crucial that we continue fostering an environment where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully in the media.

In a statement given to DailyMail.com, I, as a representative for Lively, express my disappointment and disapproval towards The Hollywood Reporter.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase that statement as follows: “The framing of this image is troublingly stereotypical, perpetuating harmful notions about women who speak up against workplace injustice. It often portrays them as the antagonist, implying they are the ones instigating conflict and deserving retribution.

On February 18th, Lively submitted a revised version of her initial December 20th complaint against Baldoni. She stated in this updated filing that she was not the sole individual who felt uneasy around him during the filming of “It Ends With Us,” suggesting there may have been other women involved in similar circumstances.

As a faithful adherent, I must attest that Baldoni frequently overstepped boundaries during our private moments, such as spontaneously initiating unscheduled and undiscussed kisses during the filming of our intimate scenes.

Additionally, she asserted that Baldoni masterminded a damaging public relations attack against her, an allegation backed by a highly impactful article published by The New York Times on December 21st.

On December 31, Baldoni took legal action against The Times, claiming they had caused him and his representatives harm worth $250 million by making defamatory statements about him.

On January 16, he filed a lawsuit against Lively, her husband, and her PR team, claiming that the high-profile actress had wrested creative control of the movie from him. Additionally, he asserted that it was challenging to collaborate with her because she reportedly refused to endorse the film unless she could personally edit its versions.

Additionally, he alleged that Lively spent excessively on clothing due to her disapproval of the outfits initially provided to her.

As an ardent admirer reporting the news, I’m thrilled to share that Judge Lewis J. Liman decreed on January 27th that the legal disputes between Kevin Lively and Rainn Baldoni will be combined. The trial, which I eagerly anticipate, has been scheduled for March 9, 2026.

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2025-02-24 18:41

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