Blake Lively’s civil rights complaint against Justin Baldoni doesn’t just dominate the headlines. It also inspires other actresses to speak out against what they say is toxic masculinity and harassment on set they have experienced it themselves.

In separate social media posts this week, Kate Beckinsale and Abigail Breslin shared their own stories of harassment and retaliation, describing them as part of an industry-wide problem. And while they didn’t mention many names, both pointed to Lively’s high-profile case as the impetus for speaking out.

“What was highlighted is this machinery that comes into play when a woman complains about something legitimately offensive, disturbing, harmful or whatever in this industry,” Beckinsale said in her Instagram video.

Months after the release of Lively’s film It ends with usShe filed a lengthy complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights, accusing Baldoni – her co-star and director – of sexually harassing her and violating her physical boundaries, leading her to raise concerns during filming.

In the complaint published by the New York Times In mid-December, Lively also claimed that Baldoni and his production studio Wayfarer then retaliated against her by hiring a crisis publicity firm to smear her reputation during the film’s promotional phase this summer.

Bryan Freedman, an attorney for the studio, told NPR that Lively’s claims were “categorically false” and “another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation.” But the consequences for Baldoni were swift: His talent agency dropped him, his podcast co-host publicly quit, and a global women-focused nonprofit revoked a solidarity award it had given him just weeks earlier.

Lively’s complaint — which could be a precursor to a lawsuit — includes thousands of pages of texts and emails between Baldoni and his representatives, which her lawyers said were obtained through a subpoena. She has not commented publicly beyond the legal deadline.

“I hope my legal action will help lift the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak out about wrongdoing and protect others who may be targeted,” Lively said The times in a statement.

Since then, more and more Hollywood actresses have come forward to thank Lively – and help pull back the curtain.

Beckinsale says she has “about 47 million” similar stories

Beckinsale posted an Instagram video on Monday describing examples of poor working conditions on various film sets and the retaliation she experienced for speaking out about them.

When Beckinsale spoke to the camera, she emphasized that she did not know Lively or Baldoni personally and was not on set It ends with us herself – but over the course of her own career she has amassed “approximately 47 million similar stories.”

British actress who made her screen debut in Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 adaptation of Much ado about nothingShe is known for her roles in action films like Van Helsing, Total Recall and the Underworld Franchise.

Beckinsale described being “troubled” by a trusted crew member on a film when she was 18, and that her concerns were dismissed by both actresses she recounted – including one who was “known for supporting women.” “.

She also recalled working on a film set where her co-star was “drunk every day,” which resulted in her spending long hours watching her daughter. She said that voicing these concerns ultimately only harmed her, as people on set viewed her disparagingly and the studio dismissively gave her a bicycle “so I could ride around the studio lot while I waited.”

Editor’s Note: The following video contains profanity that some viewers may find offensive.

Some of the consequences are physical, she said. She cited two instances in which she was put on such a strict diet and exercise regimen for a film that she missed her period, and said she was forced by her own publicist to do a photo shoot while bleeding from a miscarriage .

Beckinsale also said she was injured in a “very unsafe combat situation” with two different actors in two different films.

“As soon as I mentioned there was a problem, I would gaslight and feel like I was the problem – blamed and ostracized, excluded from cast dinners, not spoken to – as soon as I mentioned there was a problem.” , she added.

The only person Beckinsale mentioned by name was disgraced former producer Harvey Weinstein, whose decades of alleged sexual misconduct fueled the global #MeToo movement when they came to light in 2017. Beckinsale says in the video that she was lucky to never have been harassed by Weinstein, but described how he would blacklist actors who turned down his projects.

Beckinsale said she often hears men say that the climate has improved over the years – but was quick to contradict that opinion.

“I’m grateful to Blake Lively for highlighting the fact that this is not an archaic problem that no one is facing – this is ongoing,” she said. “And then when it happens, a machine sets in motion to completely destroy you.”

Breslin breaks her silence on the now-dismissed lawsuit against her

Abigail Breslin – whose main role was in 2006 Little Miss Sunshine made her famous at the age of 10 – also took to social media to share her thoughts.

“Given recent events surrounding an attempt to destroy the career and livelihood of a fellow actress and woman, I felt compelled to write this as I have unfortunately been subjected to the same toxic masculinity my entire life,” Breslin said , now 28, she wrote in a Tumblr post that she also shared on Instagram.

Breslin went on to talk about one of those experiences, speaking publicly for the first time about a now-withdrawn lawsuit that the producers of her 2024 film filed against her last year Classified.

“When a previous employer filed a lawsuit against me (the lawsuit was withdrawn) after filing a confidential complaint against a colleague for unprofessional conduct, I was under the silly and naive impression that they would believe me,” Breslin wrote.

Accordingly diversity and other entertainment news outlets, the producers of Classified sued Breslin after she made allegations against her older male co-star Aaron Eckhart.

The complaint received from diversitysays production on the film “came to a near standstill” after Breslin accused Eckhart of “aggressive, demeaning and unprofessional behavior” that “put her in danger at various times.” The lawsuit states that the producer investigated on set and found “no evidence” to support Breslin’s “wild, hysterical and imaginary accusations” against her co-star. Her refusal to be alone with Eckhart in certain scenes also forced her to spend $80,000 on lodging, according to court documents cited by Diversity.

a representative for Breslin said People At that time, the actress “categorically denies all allegations made against her and unequivocally stands by the statement she made confidentially available to SAG,” citing the actors’ union.

NPR has reached out to representatives for Eckhart, who has not commented publicly on the lawsuit or the allegations within it. Jeffrey Konvitz, who represented the producers in the lawsuit, confirmed to NPR that the case was settled and dismissed by the parties, but declined further comment.

“Instead of believing me and protecting me, a lawsuit was filed against me because I had the audacity to speak out,” Breslin wrote. “I was publicly shamed and defamed. A reputation I had cultivated for over two decades was now tarnished as I became the crazy, paranoid and, to quote, “hysterical and wild” woman who had apparently just made it for men.”

Breslin expressed disappointment that the #MeToo movement had not led to more lasting change as she had hoped. She said she realized that experiences like hers had become the norm and that “behind closed doors – to them – we’re still just loud women.”

“To change the narrative, we don’t need more women screaming,” she said. “We just need a lot more men to shut up and listen.”

Other actresses speak out for Lively

In the days since news of her complaint broke, a number of other actors have come forward to show their support for Lively.

She received public encouragement and thanks from several stakeholders It ends with usfrom author Colleen Hoover to co-stars Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar.

Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera and Amber Tamblyn – Friends of Lively since they starred on the series together Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Films from the early 2000s – made a joint statement of solidarity.

“We are struck by the fact that a woman, even one as strong, celebrated and resourceful as our friend Blake, can face severe retaliation if she dares to demand a safe work environment,” they wrote. “Our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others inspires us.”