Justin Baldoni is already struggling financially amid his lawsuit against Blake Lively?! It’s only just begun!
During Monday’s hearing, per People, Justin’s lawyer Bryan Freedman claimed the actor and his other “clients are devastated financially and emotionally” as a result of the legal matter that began in late December. This includes producers Jamey Heath and Steve Sarowitz, their production company Wayfarer Studios, and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel.
Related: Is Blake Lively Having Regrets About Justin Baldoni Legal Drama?
But wait… Steve Sarowitz is literally a billionaire! And in a PerezHilton.com EXCLUSIVE, we learned from two different sources that Steve, a co-founder of Wayfarer, was willing to fund Justin’s entire court battle — meaning money would be no factor in this case!
So, how could Justin already be financially “devastated” now?? Our best guess is that Bryan is also taking into account career setbacks the Jane the Virgin alum may be facing in light of this legal trouble. Why? Cause Bryan also noted in the hearing:
“Not to sound like a 4-year-old fighting a 4-year-old with ‘they started it,’ but in these kinds of cases, once someone says something it becomes fact: There’s no way to fight against it.”
He’s not wrong. When it comes to industries — like show business — that rely on the good will of fan bases, even accusations of wrongdoing are often enough to get folks blacklisted. We mean, there are so many other actors and directors willing to adapt the next Nicholas Sparks novel, why risk being involved with one twisted up in scandal?
Essentially, they want the court case to play out as quickly as possible to finally clear Justin’s name (should that be the final result) because all the negative press is too difficult to deal with — and it’s reportedly impacting his job prospects!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Justin was attached to direct a Pac-Man movie, but in light of this scandal, he and his company Wayfarer Studios are at risk of losing THREE different projects, including that one. Sources close to him told the outlet he has “lost three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars” amid the controversy. Even if he ends up like Johnny Depp, nominally vindicated in a court of law, there will be many who never believe him — so his career could end up permanently hamstrung. We mean, Depp was one of the most bankable movie stars around, when’s the last time you heard about him booking a role in a movie anyone’s heard of? Baldoni could very much end up like that.
So sure, while paying for the legal war against Blake may not be an issue thanks to his friend, the fight alone is definitely affecting Justin’s reputation and opportunities in the biz! No wonder he’s feeling stressed about finances! Oof.
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