Justin Baldoni, known for his role in the romantic drama “It Ends With Us”, was recently honored with a women’s solidarity award from Vital Voices.
However, the award has now been rescinded after his co-star, Blake Lively, accused him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation.
The global non-profit organization, Vital Voices, announced on Monday that they were revoking the award previously given to Baldoni.
The decision came after Lively filed a legal complaint alleging “abhorrent conduct” by the actor, his studio, and a crisis PR team, which was deemed inconsistent with the values of the organization.
Baldoni’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that they are “categorically false”.
They claim that Lively had threatened to disrupt the film production unless her demands were met, leading them to hire a crisis manager as a preemptive measure.
The Voices of Solidarity Award was presented to Baldoni on December 9th in New York, celebrating men who advocate for women’s rights.
The actor expressed his gratitude on Instagram, emphasizing the importance of teaching young boys about vulnerability, sensitivity, and empathy.
In response to the legal complaint, Baldoni’s lawyer refuted Lively’s claims, accusing her of making unreasonable demands and threats. He dismissed the accusations as sensationalized and intended to harm Baldoni’s reputation in the media.
The unfolding controversy has stirred discussions within the industry, with supporters of both parties chiming in.
