Justin Baldoni Podcast Co-Host Liz Plank Quits Show Over Blake Lively Harassment Complaint

Liz Plank, one of the co-hosts Justin Baldoni‘s Man is enough podcast, leaving the show after Blake Livelya legal complaint that accuses It ends with us actress and director of sexual harassment and the organization of a defamation campaign against her.

in a statement published on social networks On Monday, Plank said: “I am writing to you today to let you know that my representatives have informed (Baldoni’s production company) Wayfarer that I will no longer be co-hosting Man is enough podcast. Thank you for trusting me with your hearts and stories, for making room for me, and for making this show what it was.”

Stressing that she would “miss the listeners so much,” she added: “I love what this community has created with every fiber of my being, and it’s because of you. As this chapter ends for me, I remain committed to the values ​​we built together. Thank you for being here, for trusting me, and for being there for me for the last four years.”

related: It ends with us Author Colleen Hoover Supports Blake Lively Amid Justin Baldoni’s ‘Don’t Change’ Complaint

While Plank didn’t directly address Lively’s allegations against Baldoni, which Baldoni denied, she appeared to allude to them, writing, “We all deserve better, and I know that together we can create it. I will have more to share soon as I continue to review all that has happened, and in the meantime I will continue to support all who call for injustice and bring to justice those who stand in their way.”

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Baldoni and Wayfarer representatives for comment on Plank’s departure.

Journalist and author For the Love of Men: From Toxic to More Mindful Masculinitywas accepted by Planck Man is enough alongside Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamie Heath from launch in 2021. The podcast is rated as research “What it means to be a man today and how rigid gender roles have affected all men.”

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Planck’s exit takes place in a few days Lively filed a complaint California Department of Civil Rights accuses Baldoni and Heath of sexual harassment on set It ends with uswidescreen adaptation Colleen HooverThe novel focuses on a woman’s struggle to end domestic violence. Lively starred in the film with Baldoni, and Heath acted as a producer.

Lively’s complaint alleges that Baldoni engaged in “invasive, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate conduct” on set, including unwanted and unplanned kisses, entering her dressing room when she was undressed, making comments about his sex life and porn addiction, and humiliating her. remarks about her age and weight.

related: Amber Heard supports Blake Lively after Justin Baldoni hired Johnny Depp’s firm in crisis: “I saw it with my own eyes”

The Cat Alum also accuses Baldoni and Heath of waging a smear campaign against her, providing in the complaint emails and text messages from Baldoni’s publicists to illustrate what she calls a “sophisticated, coordinated and well-financed plan of retaliation” to damage her reputation.

“Mr. Baldoni was desperate to suppress any suggestion that he had engaged in inappropriate behavior, much less sexual harassment, because it would have completely undermined his carefully crafted public image as a feminist ally,” the complaint states.

Brian Friedman, an attorney representing Baldoni and his production company, called Lively’s allegations “categorically false.” He also defended Baldoni’s troubled PR firm in a statement provided to EW on Monday.

“TAG PR acted like any other crisis management firm when it was hired by a client who felt threatened by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources,” Friedman said, adding that “standard scenario planning” turned out to be “unnecessary” because of what he calls his own Lively. “tasteless” press tour.

Friedman also argued that New York Timeswhich reported the complaint to Lively“played into Lively’s own questionable PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges without critical context — the very tactics she accuses the firm of using.”

Read the original article at Entertainment Weekly