Wayfarer Studios sues ex-publicist for breach of contract

Justin Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer, has filed a lawsuit against former publicist Stephanie Jones for a breach of contract. This legal action comes after tensions between Jones and Baldoni escalated during the promotion of their film, "It Ends With Us." Before the movie's release, Baldoni and actress Blake Lively agreed to avoid public conflicts. However, Jones allegedly contacted media outlets against Baldoni's wishes, aiming to control the narrative about their ongoing disputes. Following this, Baldoni left Jones' public relations firm and attempted to take his publicist, Jennifer Abel, with him. The situation turned contentious when Jones allegedly seized Abel’s phone, which contained confidential information about Wayfarer. This information was later shared with Lively's representatives. Wayfarer claims this act was a significant breach of trust and privacy. Jones has countersued, asserting that Abel conspired to take clients and harm Jones' reputation. She claims her departure was planned and that Abel and others acted unethically. The lawsuits highlight a complex web of accusations involving public relations tactics and professional rivalries amid the film's promotion. Lawyers on both sides have provided strong statements. Wayfarer’s attorney accused Jones of initiating chaos through her actions. Meanwhile, Jones' lawyer defended her actions, claiming they are based on factual evidence against Abel and her team. This legal conflict not only involves the film’s production team but also the publicists caught in the crossfire. The ongoing disputes indicate significant tensions that have emerged behind the scenes of the movie's release.