The actor and director Justin Baldoni continues to face fallout from the complaint filed by his It Ends With Us co-star, Blake Lively, just days ago.
Now, Baldoni has officially lost the Voices of Solidarity award, presented by the Vital Voices Global Partnership, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women leaders.
On December 9, during a ceremony in New York, Baldoni received the award, which recognizes “exceptional men who have demonstrated courage and empathy in defending the rights of women and girls.” Comedian Hasan Minhaj presented the accolade at the event.
At the time, Baldoni shared his gratitude on Instagram, saying he felt “deeply honored and humbled” by the recognition. He emphasized the importance of shaping future generations of men, stating: “I hope we can teach our children, from a young age, that vulnerability is a strength, sensitivity a superpower, and empathy a source of power.” However, due to the allegations involving Lively, the award has since been revoked.
Read the official statement:
Statement by Vital Voices on decision to rescind Voices of Solidarity award. pic.twitter.com/nWabsUqHOB
— Vital Voices (@VitalVoices) December 23, 2024
What Happened Between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively?
Blake Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and engaging in a smear campaign against her. In her complaint, Lively alleges that Baldoni improvised non-consensual kisses during filming and made inappropriate sexual comments, creating a toxic work environment.
She further claims that after voicing her concerns, Baldoni and his PR team retaliated by attempting to tarnish her reputation, which negatively impacted her career and personal life. Baldoni, through his lawyer, has denied the accusations, calling them false.
Industry Reactions to the Allegations
The allegations have prompted significant backlash against Baldoni within Hollywood. His talent agency, WME, has ceased representing him. Author Colleen Hoover and several of Lively’s colleagues from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants have publicly supported Lively. Sony Pictures has also condemned Baldoni’s alleged actions.
Additionally, Liz Plank, co-host of Baldoni’s podcast The Man Enough, announced her departure this week due to the controversy. The podcast, described as a platform for addressing topics like masculinity, relationships, and mental health, has faced criticism in light of the allegations.
Plank, a journalist and author, shared her decision on Instagram: “I have requested my representatives to notify Baldoni’s production company that I will no longer continue as co-host of The Man Enough podcast.” She expressed gratitude to her audience, saying, “Thank you for trusting me with your hearts and stories, for holding space for mine, and for making this show what it was.”
This article was originally written in Spanish by Miguel Fernandez in Cultura Colectiva
