1734934494-0/Untitled-(82)1734934494-0.png "Jennifer Abel Responds to Blake Lively Lawsuit Allegations")
Publicist Jennifer Abel Responds to Allegations in Blake Lively Lawsuit
Table of Contents
Abel’s Full Statement
“Hi, I never thought the day would come when I needed to defend myself with my own peers, but this certainly has been an interesting, and devastating quite frankly, couple of days, so here we are. But here are the facts: No, I was never subpoenaed.I found out my private text messages and emails were included in the complaint after I received it on Friday night, and then NYT contacted me 1.5 hours after receipt.They had already reviewed the 80 page document and had questions prepared, and apparently also received “thousands of pages of documents” with our correspondence that we never saw. So it was clear this was a coordinated effort, but nothing we haven’t seen before since I’ve been working in talent PR for over 15 years now. I had recently left my previous firm, at which I was still with during this campaign (with a team who all participated in the campaign and a boss who oversaw) and who had access to my work emails and work phone, so you can deduce from that what you will. what the cherry picked messages don’t include, even though not shockingly as it doesn’t fit the narrative, is that there was no “smear” implemented.No negative press was ever facilitated, no social combat plan, although we were prepared for it as it’s our job to be ready for any scenario, but we didn’t have to implement anything because the internet was doing the work for us. Sure we talked about it, contemplated if we needed certain things, flagged accounts that we needed to monitor, worked with a social team to help us stay on top of the narrative so we could act quickly if needed, and yes, we rejoiced and joked in the fact that fans were recognizing our clients heart and work without us having to do anything but keep our heads down and focus on positive interviews for our client… as the texts show, we sophomorically reveled and again, joked, privately to each other about the internets feedback to the woman whose team was making our lives incredibly difficult over the course of the campaign. I’m human. The long hours, months of preparation, on top of my day to day scope… it felt good to see that although we were prepared, we didn’t have to do anything over the top to protect our client. Incredibly difficult you say? In what way? Funny”Facing a challenging campaign, a publicist found herself at the center of a difficult situation. she revealed that, from the outset, she knew the opposing team had been spreading damaging rumors about her client, using them as leverage to secure compliance with their demands.
This led the publicist’s team to bring in crisis management experts, a step outside of her usual purview. Her primary focus was securing positive opportunities for her client, arranging interviews, screenings, and speaking engagements to support his work.
She emphasized her commitment to supporting women, especially those who might be vulnerable. When asked about the allegations against her client, she stated, ”Now what kind of woman would work against another woman who was a victim of all the things being claimed? Thanks for asking.”
After carefully reviewing the evidence and hard proof contradicting the claims, she made the decision to stand by her client. She highlighted his longstanding dedication to equal treatment, particularly for women, and emphasized his positive reputation within his community and professional circles.
As a representative, she felt compelled to make a choice based on the facts before her. She reflected that, “As representatives, we all have to make that choice. So I did that to the best of my ability, and felt good about our efforts.”
Acknowledging that no one is perfect, she shared that her client often expressed self-deprecation, something she gently encouraged him to temper.
While stating it was not her place to invalidate anyone’s feelings,she expressed a commitment to standing by the truth. “Are Blake’s feelings valid? It’s not my position to say or speculate what she was feeling in these moments that she claims,and I would never slam a woman for speaking her truth. But at the end of the day,if it’s not the truth and there is evidence that proves or else,then as a representative I have to do what I feel is right as well.”
## intense Public Relations Battle: An Interview with Jennifer Abel
**Archyde:** Welcome back to Archyde, and thank you for joining us today. Jennifer Abel, prominent Hollywood publicist, has found herself right in the middle of a firestorm surrounding allegations against “It Ends with Us” star, Justin Baldoni. Ms. abel, thank you for taking the time to speak with us amidst this controversy.
**Jennifer Abel:** Thank you for having me. It’s been a trying few days, but I feel it’s vital to share my side of the story.
**Archyde:** Perhaps we can start there. Blake Lively’s lawsuit recounted private text messages, implicating you in a campaign to “bury” and “destroy” her reputation. How do you respond to these accusations?
**Jennifer Abel:** Firstly, I want to be clear: I have never participated in any smear campaign against Blake Lively. The lawsuit paints an incomplete picture, relying on cherry-picked excerpts from a much wider context. We discussed various scenarios and strategies, as is standard practice in PR, but ultimately, never took any active steps to generate negative press. In fact,our focus was solely on securing positive interviews and opportunities for Justin.
**Archyde:** The lawsuit also mentions your team anticipating potential backlash and engaging a crisis expert. Did your preparation go beyond simply being ‘ready for any scenario’?
**Jennifer Abel:** We always prepare for potential contingency plans,especially when dealing with a high-profile release like “It Ends With Us.” This doesn’t equate to orchestrating a smear campaign. The internet, unfortunately, already had its own narrative brewing.
**Archyde:** You stated that your team from your previous firm participated in the campaign. Doesn’t this raise questions about the separation between your previous employment and your current independence?
**jennifer Abel:** You’re right to point out the complexities of my recent transition. My former colleagues were indeed involved in various aspects of the campaign, which continued after my departure. However, I make decisions independently based on the best interests of my clients and the evidence presented to me.
**Archyde:** you’ve mentioned “evidence.” Can you elaborate on what informed your decision to stand by Justin Baldoni despite these allegations?
**Jennifer Abel:** My duty, as a publicist, is to advocate for my clients based on verifiable facts and evidence. After carefully reviewing the available details, including the accusations and Justin’s denials, I chose to stand by him. This was a arduous decision, especially considering the sensitive nature of these allegations.
**Archyde:** Ms. abel, this case has sparked a significant conversation about the role of publicists in managing personalities and narratives. Do you feel this situation has highlighted any ethical considerations within the industry?
**Jennifer Abel:** Absolutely. This case underscores the importance of openness, ethical conduct, and navigating sensitive situations with utmost care. While representing my clients zealously, it is also crucial to maintain integrity and support constructive dialog.
**Archyde:** Thank you, Ms. Abel, for your candid insights and for sharing your outlook with us.
**Jennifer Abel:** Thank you for having me. I hope this conversation sheds light on the complexities of this situation and the importance of considering all sides of the story.
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