Blake Lively has hired a PR crisis manager with deep government ties as her legal battle with Justin Baldoni escalates. The actress is working with Nick Shapiro, the CIA’s former deputy chief of staff, to advise on the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit in the Southern District of New York. The conflict began when Lively filed a letter with the California Civil Rights Department accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment during the production of "It Ends With Us." The legal back and forth has involved multiple lawsuits, including Baldoni suing the New York Times for libel and Lively suing Baldoni for retaliation. Additionally, a Texas-based entrepreneur has filed a defamation suit against Lively. Shapiro's involvement in the case, given his background in crisis management during various national crises, has raised eyebrows.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/blake-lively-hires-cia-alum-crisis-pr-justin-baldoni-legal-battle-1236323621/