Among the first to voice his concerns was former Bachelor and popular podcast host Nick Viall, who previously criticized Baldoni for hiring renowned crisis manager Melissa Nathan. Nathan’s firm had previously been involved in high-profile cases, including Johnny Depp‘s contentious defamation trial against Amber Heard. Many observers noted that Baldoni’s actions seemed aligned with a strategy to deflect public scrutiny from Lively as rumors of tension on set began to surface.

Viall isn’t alone in his criticism; Lively has bravely detailed her experiences during the filming and promotion of the Colleen Hoover adaptation, shedding light on alarming instances of alleged sexual harassment and what she describes as a calculated smear campaign against her. Baldoni’s representatives have denied these allegations, labeling the lawsuit as an attempt to “repair her negative reputation.”

The New York Times also published a revealing article detailing alleged private messages that outline the purported smear campaign against Lively, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding Baldoni’s actions.

Heard has also spoken out, sharing her own experiences with a PR campaign orchestrated by Nathan’s team during her tumultuous divorce from Depp. She stated, “I witnessed this firsthand, and it is terrifying.”

“Social media represents the age-old saying, ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on,’” Heard remarked in a statement obtained by NBC News today. “I experienced this firsthand and up close. It is as horrifying as it is dangerous.”

In a recent TikTok video, Nick Viall clarified that he is “not here to gloat” despite previously calling out Justin Baldoni in August. While Lively faced backlash online, Viall himself was also criticized for his stance against Baldoni.

“I’m not here to brag; I’m just relieved that the truth about this man is coming to light, and more importantly, how wrong many of you were about Blake,” Viall stated in his latest TikTok.

He urged those still skeptical about Lively to consider her lawsuit, stating, “It’s filled with screenshots and evidence, painting a detailed picture of who Justin really is, rather than the persona he projects.”

“It’s a comprehensive account that reveals the truth behind the facade,” he added, encouraging viewers to engage with the material presented.

For Viall, his first red flag regarding Baldoni emerged back in January 2023, just prior to his extended interview with Baldoni on a rainy day in August, which prompted him to latch onto the term “fake.”

Viall recounted stepping out for a moment, only to return and find Baldoni seemingly unprepared, meditating in front of everyone present. “I believe meditation is fantastic, but it’s a personal practice, not something to perform for an audience,” he expressed.

“Why not meditate in your car or somewhere private? The ambiance outside was quite pleasant,” he pondered, highlighting his discomfort with Baldoni’s display.

Following that moment, Viall expressed growing skepticism towards Baldoni’s authenticity, questioning what else he might be performing for an audience. “What else does he do for show?” he reflected, which informed his approach during the interview.

During most of Baldoni’s promotional appearances for the film, he emphasized a women-first narrative in discussing the book and its themes surrounding domestic abuse.

“During the interview, I wanted to assess whether he truly believed in the messages he was promoting. I questioned whether he even comprehended the issues at hand,” Viall explained, expressing his discomfort with Baldoni’s responses, which he felt were insincere.

“My main takeaway was that this guy is not genuine. He gives off the impression of pretending to be an ally without actually being one,” he concluded, summarizing his doubts about Baldoni’s true intentions.

Viall shared that he consulted with others in his circle to validate his feelings about Baldoni, which led him to discover an engagement video Baldoni had created for a previous girlfriend, still available on Baldoni’s YouTube channel.

“It was essentially 20 minutes of Justin making his then-girlfriend watch pre-recorded footage of him, performing skits that had nothing to do with the relationship; it was solely about him,” Viall described, emphasizing his discomfort with Baldoni’s self-centered approach.

He further questioned, “How can a man who has built his entire career on highlighting and celebrating women in his engagement video make himself the focal point, relegating his future wife to merely being part of the audience?”

Viall noted that the cast of It Ends With Us appears to have distanced themselves from Baldoni amid the unfolding drama, raising further doubts about the sincerity of his proclaimed support for women.

In August, Viall went viral for questioning Baldoni’s decision to hire a PR crisis management team as troubling stories began to emerge about the film’s production. He challenged why Baldoni wasn’t actively defending women from online harassment, particularly Lively, instead of seeking to manage the narrative through a PR strategy.

“Why is a man who constantly advocates for listening to and protecting women instead hiring a crisis PR team, notorious for undermining the credibility of other women?” he questioned, highlighting the contradictions in Baldoni’s actions.

Nearly two decades have passed since The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants catapulted Blake Lively to stardom, and it appears that real sisterhood can endure the test of time, as evidenced by the recent support from her former co-stars.

In a powerful joint statement, Lively’s co-stars from the film, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, expressed their unwavering support for her following the shocking allegations in her lawsuit, reaffirming their enduring friendship and solidarity.

“As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the alleged campaign to tarnish her reputation,” the trio stated in their heartfelt Instagram post.

“Throughout the filming of ‘It Ends With Us,’ we witnessed her summon the courage to advocate for a safe working environment for herself and her colleagues on set. We are appalled by the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort to discredit her voice,” they continued.

“Most upsetting is the blatant exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who sought safety,” they added, highlighting the gravity of the situation. “The hypocrisy is astounding.”

“We are struck by the reality that even a woman as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake can face fierce retaliation for daring to speak up for a safe working environment,” they emphasized in their statement.

“We are inspired by our sister’s bravery to stand up for herself and others. For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the complete legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times,” they urged, encouraging further dialogue around the issues at hand.

The bond forged among the four women in the 2005 film and its 2008 sequel remains strong, recently coming together to support Ferrera’s Oscar-nominated performance in the hit film Barbie.