Abigail Breslin has voiced her support for Blake Lively amid Lively’s lawsuit against It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni. Breslin, who has faced her own challenges after raising concerns about former co-star Aaron Eckhart, shared her perspective in a heartfelt Tumblr post on Sunday, addressing the difficulties women encounter when speaking out against misconduct.
When did the word woman become synonymous with scapegoat? In light of recent events regarding the attempt to destroy the career and livelihood of a fellow actress and woman, I have felt compelled to write this, as I have unfortunately been subject to the same toxic masculinity throughout my life.
Breslin wrote
Breslin drew parallels between Lively’s situation and her own experiences during the 2023 production of Classified. She revealed that her confidential complaint about Eckhart’s alleged unprofessional behavior led to her being labeled “hysterical” and “paranoid,” culminating in a defamation lawsuit filed against her.
Advertisement Instead of being believed and protected, a suit was filed against me for having the audacity to speak up. I was publicly shamed and defamed in the process. A reputation I had cultivated for over two decades had now been tainted.
she wrote
Dream Team Studios, the production company behind Classified, claimed in a breach of contract lawsuit that Breslin’s complaints “almost ground the production to a halt.” An investigation conducted in accordance with SAG-AFTRA guidelines found no evidence of wrongdoing. Eckhart has not publicly addressed the claims.
Breslin’s message comes as Blake Lively pursues legal action against Baldoni, alleging he created a hostile work environment during the production of It Ends With Us. Lively’s lawsuit also claims Baldoni failed to adhere to industry protocols for filming intimate scenes and launched a retaliatory campaign to harm her reputation after she raised concerns.
I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.
Lively said in a statement to The New York Times on December 21.
Breslin reflected on the societal challenge of supporting women who speak out against powerful figures, describing the aftermath of the #MeToo movement as “a firework” that quickly burned out.
There seemed to be an uprising, a new wave of recognition for those who had been abused, degraded, slandered, silenced. But … behind closed doors — to them — we are still just noisy women.
she wrote
Are we forever to hold the burden of being ‘perfect’ to be victims and to be believed? To change the narrative, we do not need more women to scream. We just need a lot more men to shut up and listen.
She criticized the double standards women face when coming forward, stating
Baldoni has denied the allegations, calling them “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” His lawyer, Bryan Freedman, accused Lively of making “multiple demands and threats” during the production, which he claims impacted the film’s release.
Lively has received widespread support, including statements from her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn.
As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.
the trio said in a joint statement
Source: US Weekly