Paul Feig, Robyn Lively Join Voices Speaking Up for Blake Lively

Director Paul Feig has joined the chorus of voices speaking out for “It Ends With Us” star Blake Lively following her sexual harassment complaint against co-star Justin Baldoni.

Feig, who directed Lively in “A Simple Favor” and more recently its sequel “A Simple Favor 2,” paid tribute to the actress, saying she “really didn’t deserve” the alleged smear campaign Lively claims was orchestrated by Baldoni.

“I’ve now done two films with Blake and I can only say that she is one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with,” Feig published on Xwhich links to a New York Times article about Lively’s complaint. “She really didn’t deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s terrible that she was put through this.

“A Simple Favor 2” will be released next year.

Lively’s sister Robyn, who had a small role in “It Ends With Us” and currently stars in “Lionness” alongside Zoe Saldana, also posted a supportive message about her younger sibling. “She is one of the kindest, most honest and loving people I know,” Robyn Lively posted on Instagram as part of a longer message about the charges. “Blake is not a villain. She is a mother bear at her core, a loving and supportive wife, a sister, a friend, and someone who toiled on a movie in abhorrent working conditions. You can certainly disagree with the marketing campaign if you want . Mistakes were made, but she is not the creative person behind those decisions and should not bear the sole responsibility for them.”

The duo are the latest to lend their voices in support of Lively. “It Ends With Us” writer Colleen Hoover, who produced the film, also shared her support for the actor on Instagram, writing alongside a photograph of the duo hugging: “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient. Since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the person you are. Never change.”

And Lively’s former “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” co-stars — America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel — also released a joint statement saying they “stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign that was brought to destroy her reputation.”

On Saturday, it was revealed that Lively had filed a lengthy complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging that Baldoni, who directed, produced and starred in “It Ends With Us,” had sexually harassed her while filming the movie before. orchestrating a smear campaign during its promotion.

A lawyer for Baldoni has denied the allegations, calling them “categorically false.” Following the disclosure of the complaint, the actor and director were dropped by the agency WME, which also represents Lively.