‘Horrifying’: Amber Heard speaks out on Blake Lively smear campaign

Amber Heard has backed Blake Lively’s claim of a “destructive” social media smear campaign, drawing parallels to her own experience.

The entertainment world is abuzz with the news of Blake Lively’s lawsuit against her It Ends With Us director, Justin Baldoni.

Lively alleges that Baldoni not only subjected her to sexual harassment on set but also orchestrated a deliberate online smear campaign to tarnish her reputation.

Adding a voice to the growing chorus of support for Blake Lively is actress Amber Heard.

Heard, who weathered her own highly publicised legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp, has spoken out in solidarity.

Blake Lively has sued It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment. Picture: Getty Images

Amber Heard has spoken out in support of Blake Lively. Picture: AFP

In an exclusive statement to NBC News, the Aquaman actress emphasised the destructive power of social media in such situations:

“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on.’ I saw this first-hand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive,” Heard stated.

This statement resonates deeply with the allegations in Lively’s complaint.

She claims that Baldoni, after being confronted about his inappropriate behaviour on set, engaged in a calculated effort to damage her image online.

This allegedly involved manipulating social media narratives and planting negative stories in the media.

Blake Lively claims Justin Baldoni engaged in a calculated effort to damage her image online. Picture: AFP

The situation draws parallels to Heard’s own experiences during and after her defamation trial with Depp.

Both actresses found themselves facing intense online scrutiny and public backlash, with social media playing a significant role in shaping the narrative surrounding their respective cases.

The situation draws parallels to Amber Heard’s own experiences during her defamation trial with Johnny Depp. Picture: Supplied

Blake Lively’s lawsuit has garnered support from various corners, including her Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants co-stars and It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover.

Both of which have condemned the alleged smear campaign and expressed solidarity with Lively’s pursuit of justice.

Adding to the mounting pressure on Justin Baldoni, the actor and director has been stripped of a women’s solidarity award he recently received.

The Vital Voices Global Partnership, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women leaders, rescinded the honour in light of Lively’s allegations. The organisation stated that Baldoni’s alleged actions were “contrary to the values” it upholds.

Originally published as ‘Horrifying’: Amber Heard speaks out on Blake Lively smear campaign