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Hollywood starBlake Lively has taken a bold step in her ongoing sexual harassment lawsuit against actor and director Justin Baldoni. According to a report by Deadline, Lively's legal team plans to subpoena controversial talent manager Scooter Braun as part of their effort to build evidence in the case.
The subpoena is expected to be served this Thursday and is aimed at obtaining documents and communications from HYPE America, Braun's company. The lawyers are specifically seeking information related to Melissa Nathan, a crisis PR specialist hired by Baldoni in August 2024, when rumors of tension between him and Lively began to spread.
Melissa Nathan's role in the escalating Lively-Baldoni conflict
Nathan is named as a co-defendant in Lively's December 2024 lawsuit, which accuses Baldoni not only of sexual harassment but also of orchestrating a smear campaign designed to damage her public image and professional standing.
Court documents reveal that Baldoni brought Nathan onto his team after allegations emerged of his inappropriate behavior on the set of It Ends With Us, a 2024 drama based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel.
One incident that drew particular criticism involved Baldoni allegedly asking a trainer how much Lively weighed, saying he needed to prepare for a scene where he would lift her.
Shortly after that, old video clips of Lively making a transphobic remark and clashing with a reporter resurfaced online, adding fuel to the controversy and drawing sharp criticism.
Alleged manipulation and leaked messages from Baldoni's team
In her lawsuit, Lively claims she was the target of a deliberate media manipulation campaign, directed by Baldoni and his associates. The actress alleges that the backlash she received was part of a strategy to "destroy her status" in the entertainment industry.
To her claims, Lively included a series of text messages between Baldoni's representatives and studio executives. In one message, a rep allegedly wrote that they wanted to "feel like [Lively] could be buried." Another person responded, "You know we can bury anyone."
Baldoni's legal team has strongly denied the accusations, calling them "shameful" and "categorically false." They claim that Baldoni only brought on Nathan after Lively allegedly made "multiple demands and threats" not to appear on set or promote the film unless her conditions were met.
Baldoni's countersuit dismissed, but legal fight continues
In January 2025, Baldoni filed a countersuit against Blake Lively, dragging her close friend and Braun's longtime rival Taylor Swift into the legal battle. Baldoni alleged that Lively used the pop star's influence as leverage to get her way.
However, a judge dismissed Baldoni's countersuit earlier this week. His legal team has stated their intent to file an amended version of the complaint in the coming weeks.
Scooter Braun's subpoena adds new twist to Hollywood legal saga
The legal fight between Lively and Baldoni continues to attract significant media attention, especially with the latest development that Scooter Braun will officially be subpoenaed. Given Braun's own high-profile conflicts in the music industry, particularly with Taylor Swift, his involvement adds another layer of drama to the case.
A court hearing has been scheduled for March 2026, and legal analysts expect more explosive revelations to emerge as the case progresses. With reputations, careers, and high-profile alliances at stake, this lawsuit is quickly becoming one of the most closely watched legal battles in Hollywood.