Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios Sue Former Publicist Stephanie Jones Over Blake Lively Rift
The legal fallout from the production of It Ends With Us has expanded into a complex courtroom battle. Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, have filed a lawsuit against their former publicist, Stephanie Jones, alleging that she maliciously leaked private communications that ignited a legal war with co-star Blake Lively.
The Core of the Allegations
According to court filings, Baldoni and Jennifer Abel—a former partner at Jonesworks PR who managed the Baldoni account—claim that Jones violated basic privacy rights and breached the trust of her clients. Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, stated that Jones “maliciously” turned over text messages to Leslie Sloane, the personal publicist for Blake Lively, immediately after Jones was terminated for cause by Wayfarer Studios due to her own wrongful behavior [Variety].
The lawsuit alleges that Jones wrongfully took a phone from her partner, Jennifer Abel, to obtain the communications she subsequently leaked [SCMP]. This sequence of events is described by Baldoni’s legal team as a “catastrophic” violation of privacy that sparked the broader conflict between the director and the lead actress.
Who is Stephanie Jones?
Stephanie Jones is the head of Jonesworks PR, a high-profile firm known for representing some of the world’s most influential figures. Her client list has included [Jeff Bezos, Tom Brady, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson]. Jones represented Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios during the summer when reports of a rift between Baldoni and Lively first surfaced.
While Baldoni’s team paints her as a catalyst for the drama, Jones has denied the accusations, specifically denying that she leaked Abel’s messages prior to being subpoenaed [Fandomwire].
Legal Timeline and Current Status
The conflict has evolved through several stages of litigation:
- December: Stephanie Jones reportedly filed her own lawsuit against Baldoni and several other parties, alleging defamation and breach of contract [SCMP].
- March 21, 2025: Justin Baldoni and Jennifer Abel filed their lawsuit against Jones for the alleged leaking of texts [Variety].
- March 26, 2026: A federal judge ruled that the defamation claim brought by Baldoni’s production company can move forward, keeping the legal battle alive [TMZ].
Key Takeaways
- The Dispute: Baldoni alleges Stephanie Jones leaked private texts to Blake Lively’s team after being fired.
- The Players: The suit involves Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, Jennifer Abel (former PR partner), and Stephanie Jones (Jonesworks PR).
- Current Standing: A federal judge has allowed the production company’s defamation claim to proceed as of March 2026.
As the case moves forward, the industry remains focused on how this legal morass will impact the reputations of the involved parties and the legacy of the film that started the friction.