Justin Baldoni’s publicist is at the center of the scandal surrounding the filmmaker’s alleged smear campaign against him It ends with us Star Blake Lively explains her side of the story.

Jennifer Abel’s text exchanges with crisis management expert Melissa Nathan were leaked as part of Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios. The actress has accused Baldoni of repeatedly crossing the line both in front of and behind the camera, while the director and co-star has denied the allegations, claiming Lively caused problems during filming and deliberately tried to tarnish his reputation.

On Facebook, Abel posted a defense of their Crisis Team exchange (see below), saying that it was largely a joke about how fans reacted to the Lively-Baldoni feud during the marketing campaign and did not show that Baldonis team ever took concrete action against Lively. (The Facebook posts have since been deleted, but The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed their legitimacy.)

“What the cherry-picked messages do not contain, although not shocking as it does not fit the narrative, is that no ‘slander’ was committed,” Abel wrote. “There was never any negative press, no social battle plan, although we were prepared for it as it is our job to be prepared for any scenario. But we didn’t have to implement anything because the Internet did the work for us. Sure, we talked about it, thought about whether we needed certain things, flagged accounts we needed to monitor, worked with a social media team to stay on top of things so we could act quickly when needed, and yes, we rejoiced and joked in the fact that the fans recognized the heart and work of our clients without us having to do anything other than keep our heads down and focus on positive interviews for our client. “

Abel continued: “As the texts show, we were enjoying the second year and joking privately with each other about the internet feedback for the woman whose team made our lives incredibly difficult over the course of the campaign. “I’m human. The many hours and months of preparation, in addition to my day-to-day responsibilities… it felt good to see that even though we were prepared, we didn’t have to do anything excessive to protect our customer.”

Abel then explained what she meant when she claimed Lively’s team was making their lives “incredibly difficult.”

“I was told at the beginning of the (marketing) campaign that the opposing team had spread terrible stories about my client as a ‘fail safe’ if my client did not meet the requirements set out for the campaign,” she wrote. “That’s why we set up (a crisis team) because that’s not part of my job. My sole job was to put together interviews, screening opportunities and speaking opportunities for my client in support of the film, a standard scope of work. I did my job. Now what kind of woman would take action against another woman who was a victim of everything that is being alleged? Thanks for asking. After reviewing the evidence, facts and hard evidence that refuted everything that was claimed and demanded at the beginning of production, I made the decision to stand by my client of almost five years who had dedicated his life to equal treatment for others, in particular Women. Who had no instances of negative treatment of others and who had a wonderful community and team at Wayfarer who all had the same moral strength and lived their lives accordingly. As representatives, we all have to make this choice. So I did my best and was happy with our efforts.”

Also on Monday, attorney Bryan Freedman — who represents Baldoni along with Abel and Nathan — began the attack: “TAG PR acted like any other crisis management firm when hired by a client facing threats from two extremely powerful people with unlimited access .” Resources. The standard scenario planning designed by TAG PR proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour uncomfortable and responded organically to what the media itself picked up. That’s ironic The New York TimesBy attempting to expose an insidious public relations operation, they played directly into the hands of Lively’s own dubious public relations tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges without critical context – the very same tactics she accuses the company of implementing.”

The messages between Abel and Nathan included an important exchange in which Abel encourages the crisis team: “I think you need to be tough and show the strength that you can do in these scenarios.” (Baldoni) wants to feel like he’s being buried To which Nathan replied, “Of course – but you know, when we send documents, we can’t send the work that we want to do or could do, because that could get us into a lot of trouble.” We can’t write, we they will destroy. Imagine a document containing everything he wants falling into the wrong hands. You know we can bury anyone.”

As for how these messages were made public, Abel notes that they were not subpoenaed, saying, “I had recently left my previous company (Jonesworks), where I was still working during this campaign ( with a team all involved in the campaign). and a boss who had oversight) and who had access to my work email and work phone, so you can infer what you will from that.”

Freedman also had some fiery words to say about the leaked lyrics: “Jonesworks was the PR firm contractually responsible for promoting and protecting Wayfarer and Justin. Our investigation revealed that on August 21, Jonesworks used an attorney and a security guard to obtain confidential information from Wayfarers through the seizure of Jen Abel’s phone. We continue to investigate the use of this confidential information, but demands are being made against Stephanie Jones and Leslie Sloan, and once we receive the evidence, anyone actively involved in any possible connection to this abhorrent behavior will be sued beyond recognition.”

Abel added: “I never thought the day would come when I would have to defend myself to my colleagues, but it has certainly been an interesting and, frankly, devastating few days.”

In her filing, Lively claims that things got so bad on set that there was a meeting with Lively, Sony Pictures, Baldoni and Jamey Heath of Wayfarer Studios, the film’s producers, the film’s publicists and others to discuss some of the to address “inappropriate behavior” that occurred on set.

The actress and her team requested Baldoni and his team to resume production after the actors’ strike. The 30 demands included: “BL and/or its employees should no longer be shown nude videos of women, including the producer’s wife”; “No further mention of Mr. Baldonis or Mr. Heath’s past ‘pornography addiction’ or BL’s lack of pornography consumption to BL or other crew members”; “No more descriptions of one’s own genitals to BL”; and “No more impromptu kissing.”

In a statement about it The New York TimesLively said: “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.”

Freedman previously released a lengthy statement denying the claims contained in the lawsuit. “It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false allegations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and their representatives in another desperate attempt to ‘repair’ their negative reputation created by their own statements.” actions during the campaign for the film; Interviews and press activities that were observed publicly, in real time and unedited, allowing the Internet to generate its own views and opinions. These claims are completely false, outrageous and deliberately salacious with the intent to publicly offend and rehash a media narrative.”

Since news of the lawsuit broke over the weekend, Baldoni was dropped by his reps at WME.

Christy Pina contributed to this report.