Justin Baldoni has hired a PR crisis manager as rumours of his feud with Blake Lively and other cast members from It Ends With Us rage on.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed on Tuesday that Justin has hired crisis expert Melissa Nathan, founder of The Agency Group. While the company denied the publication’s request for comment, the description on their website claims that the group “redefines the rules of reputation management.” Staffers at the company “partner with world-class artists, leaders of industry, innovators and global brands to create sustainable and impactful solutions.”
If this is the first you’re hearing of this whole saga, you may be wondering why Justin would need “reputation management” in the first place.
Well, over the last couple of weeks, the actor-director has come under scrutiny from fans, who believe there’s been drama brewing behind the scenes of It Ends With Us, which came out in cinemas on Friday.
One major sticking point for internet sleuths was that Justin — who both directed and starred in the film as Ryle Kincaid — did all of his press in the run-up to the release on his own. Meanwhile, Blake was typically paired with Brandon Sklenar or Jenny Slate, among other members of the cast and crew.
While this seemed odd to fans, there have been a lot more “clues.” There are rumours of “creative differences” between Justin and Blake, plus the fact that the Jane the Virgin actor didn’t pose with anyone from the cast or crew at the film’s New York premiere — while Blake, Jenny, Brandon and other members of the cast all took photos with one another.
Jenny also helped to stir up the rumours when she all but dodged a question about what it was like to work with Justin during the premiere.
Jenny Slate on working with Justin Baldoni, who served as both scene partner and director to the actress in #ItEndsWithUsMovie pic.twitter.com/c77v83OgzBAugust 7, 2024
Still, Justin has been very complimentary towards Blake throughout this whole ordeal — even suggesting that she would be a great pick to direct the film’s sequel, It Starts With Us.
More as we have it!
