LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA:Hollywood’s star agent Ari Emanuel recently commented on the escalating legal dispute between actor-director Justin Baldoni and actress Blake Lively, making headlines for his blunt remarks about Baldoni’s last name.
Baldoni accuses Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of launching a smear campaign to ruin his reputation, while Lively alleges that Baldoni orchestrated a coordinated attack on her character after she spoke out about on-set misconduct.
READ MORE: Teddi Mellencamp undergoes emergency surgery after ‘multiple tumors’ found on brain
Ari Emanuel takes a jab at Justin Baldoni’s name
Emanuel made headlines after mispronouncing Justin Baldoni’s last name while discussing the actor’s ongoing legal dispute with his former ‘It Ends With Us‘ co-star Blake Lively. He spoke during a taping of ‘Freakonomics Radio Live‘ at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.
Emanuel says, “It is a f–ked up, bad situation with what Bologna … Baldoni … whatever his name is … is doing.”
However, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, acknowledges Emanuel’s reputation in the industry. “Mr. Ari Emanuel is notably one of the best agents and clearly the most loyal in Hollywood,” he said.
Freedman further added, “As I understand it, Justin hasn’t been called ‘Bologna’ since the fifth grade. Perhaps Ari’s perspective would be different if they had ever met during the half-decade they were clients of his agency.”
Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, which owns talent agency WME, confirmed that he had “fired” Baldoni as a client. He praised Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, calling them “incredible people” who have always conducted themselves professionally in Hollywood.
“People work with them; they’ve never had any bad mojo out there or treated people badly. They are charitable, we help them with their foundation, they’ve given tons of money away,” he added.
Legal feud between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively escalates
The dispute between Baldoni and Lively has intensified in recent months, with both parties filing lawsuits against each other.
Barbara Szeman, a former assistant director on ‘A Simple Favor,’ claimed in a now-deleted Instagram comment, “I know I cried my way home many nights because you try so hard to please someone who is never pleased and puts you down constantly.”
She added, “I can’t believe it’s actually getting back at her. Karma is real.”
Lively, however, has argued in a lawsuit and California Civil Rights Department complaint that the negative press is part of a “smear campaign” orchestrated by Baldoni and his team to “destroy” her reputation.
Her filings include texts from one of Baldoni’s publicists, who allegedly said she can “bury anyone.”
In response, Baldoni has denied the allegations and filed his own lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, alleging extortion and defamation while seeking $400 million in damages.
Baldoni has also released a website containing behind-the-scenes footage and private messages to support his claims of innocence.
During his appearance on ‘Freakonomics,’ Emanuel reportedly criticized Baldoni’s legal approach, stating, “[Baldoni’s team] should just stop, since they think they’re innocent, and let the process play itself out.”
Lively has remained firm in her allegations against Baldoni, stating that his lawsuit “is another chapter in the abuser playbook.”
Through her lawyers, she further asserted, “This is an age-old story: A woman speaks up with concrete evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation, and the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim.”
The trial for the case is scheduled for March 9, 2026, with both parties recently agreeing to be exempt from the court’s mediation program.