America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, the beloved sisterhood from “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” have publicly voiced their unwavering support for their longtime friend and co-star, Blake Lively. This powerful statement comes in response to Lively’s recent allegations of sexual harassment against Justin Baldoni, the director and actor in her upcoming film “It Ends With Us.” Lively has also accused Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her reputation after she raised concerns about workplace safety on set.
The joint statement, released on social media, emphasizes the deep bond shared by the actresses since their “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” days. “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 statement reads. The trio highlighted Lively’s courage during the filming of “It Ends With Us,” stating, “Throughout the filming of ‘It Ends with Us,’ we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice. Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors’ stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.”
The actresses, who captured hearts worldwide in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” (2005) and its sequel in 2008, have maintained a close friendship that extends far beyond the screen. Their on-screen chemistry in the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” movies resonated with audiences, and their real-life bond continues to inspire. Last year, the “Sisterhood” stars made headlines with a heartwarming reunion to celebrate Ferrera’s Oscar nomination for “Barbie,” showcasing their enduring connection.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the details of Lively’s formal complaint against Baldoni. According to reports, the complaint includes text messages and emails revealing a planned strategy by Baldoni and his team to counteract any potential public disclosure of Lively’s concerns about the “It Ends With Us” set environment. The legal document alleges, “Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer associates embarked on a sophisticated press and digital plan in retaliation for Ms. Lively exercising her legally-protected right to speak up about their misconduct on the set, with the additional objective of intimidating her and anyone else from revealing in public what actually occurred.”
America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel standing together in support of Blake Lively, their friend and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-star
In response to Lively’s accusations, Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, issued a statement dismissing the complaint as “shameful” and filled with “categorically false accusations.” However, support for Lively extends beyond her “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” family. Colleen Hoover, the author of “It Ends With Us,” also publicly defended Lively, praising her character and professionalism throughout the adaptation process. Hoover’s social media post read: “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
The united front presented by Ferrera, Tamblyn, and Bledel, alongside Hoover’s endorsement, highlights the significance of workplace safety and the importance of speaking out against harassment, even for someone as established as Blake Lively. Their public support serves as a powerful message of solidarity and reinforces the themes of sisterhood and support that resonated so deeply with audiences of “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.”
