Jenny Slate Stands with Costar Blake Lively After 'Disturbing' Justin Baldoni Claims: 'I Admire Her Bravery'

12/24/2024 10:38 AM

"Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her," Jenny Slate said of her 'It Ends With Us' costar

Jenny Slate is showing solidarity for It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively after Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint against their director-costar Justin Baldoni.

On Monday, Dec. 23, Slate, 42, said in a statement obtained by TODAY.com that the allegations within Lively's complaint are "terribly dark" and "disturbing." 

"As Blake Lively's cast mate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation," Slate said. "Blake is a leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support for me and so many who know and love her."

"What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing and wholly threatening," she added. "I commend my friend, I admire her bravery, and I stand by her side."

Reps for Slate did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Slate is among several former costars who have publicly voiced support for Lively, 37, after the actress filed a complaint against Baldoni, months after rumors of on-set drama on It Ends With Us began circulating. Baldoni played the brother of Slate's character in the film.

Related: Blake Lively's Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Costars 'Stand with Her' amid Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Justin Baldoni

Lively sued Baldoni, 40, who worked on the movie both as director and costar, for sexual harassment and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign. Other defendants named in the filing include producer Jamey Heath, Baldoni's production company Wayfarer Studios and its co-founder Steve Sarowitz, as well as Jed Wallace, Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, who Lively alleges were involved in the orchestrated effort to tarnish her public image.

The complaint alleges that Lively "has suffered from grief, fear, trauma and extreme anxiety" due to Baldoni's alleged actions, which included "invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior."

Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman called Lively's allegations "false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt" him in a statement on Dec. 21. Baldoni has since been dropped by his talent agency.

Brandon Sklenar, who also starred in the movie with Lively, Baldoni and Slate, shared a screenshot of Lively's complaint to his Instagram Stories Dec. 23 and included a link to The New York Times' archive of the legal documents. "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS," he wrote, while also tagging Lively's Instagram account.

Colleen Hoover, whose bestselling book was the basis for the It Ends With Us movie, also spoke out in support of Lively.

Related: Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Responds to Blake Lively Claims, Says Actor Received 'Threats by Two Extremely Powerful People'

Slate and Lively spoke with PEOPLE in August while promoting It Ends With Us, in which they reflected on first meeting when Lively hosted Saturday Night Live back in 2009 and bonding over parenthood and family life.

"My friends have consistently been my actual heroes because they've offered stability and light in times of darkness or complication," Slate told PEOPLE at that time. "Getting to work with Blake and build that bond on this film is something I will always be grateful for."