British actress and activist Jameela Jamil has publicly denounced what she describes as a 'sinister' campaign to involve her in the high-profile legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The controversy centres on private text messages from August 2024 that were recently unsealed as part of the lawsuit's disposition, in which Jamil's name was left un-redacted.
Private Messages Spark Public Controversy
The unsealed documents include a private text exchange between Jamil and her publicist Jennifer Abel, who also represented Baldoni. The messages were apparently responding to a TikTok video that criticised Lively's approach during the press tour for the film It Ends With Us, which deals with domestic abuse themes.
In the texts, Jamil wrote: "She's a suicide bomber at this point," adding: "I've never seen such a bizarre villain act before." These communications occurred four months before Lively filed her lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating an online smear campaign against her. Lively is seeking approximately $500 million in damages, while Baldoni has denied all allegations.
'Deliberately Un-redacted to Cause Trouble'
Jamil addressed the situation directly in a video statement, expressing her frustration at being drawn into the legal dispute. "I think it's really weird that my private text messages from 18 months ago have suddenly been released now, and my name has been deliberately un-redacted to cause as much trouble as possible for me," she stated.
The actress emphasised that her messages had "nothing to do with the case" and were sent before she had any knowledge of Lively's impending lawsuit. She explained that she was "purely venting" to a friend about her feelings regarding the press campaign for what she called "that terrible movie."
Defending Private Exchanges as 'Womanhood'
Jamil offered a robust defence of private communication between women, framing it as an essential aspect of female friendship and support. "We bitch, we gossip, and affirm, and support one another... it's a joyous part of womanhood," she declared in her video statement.
She characterised such private exchanges as a "victimless crime" precisely because "no one is supposed to see those text messages." Jamil explained that she chose to keep her criticisms private rather than adding to public social media commentary, stating: "Did I choose to pile on publicly? No... I know personally what it's like to be in the firing line as a woman in the media."
Personal Connection to Domestic Violence Themes
The actress revealed a personal connection to the film's subject matter that informed her reaction to its marketing. Jamil disclosed that she grew up with domestic violence in her home and was herself a victim of domestic violence in her twenties.
"It offended me," she said of the press campaign for It Ends With Us. Her strong reaction to what she perceived as an inappropriate approach to promoting a film about domestic abuse led her to vent privately rather than publicly criticise Lively's participation in the promotional activities.
Broader Concerns Beyond Celebrity Disputes
Jamil concluded her remarks by expressing frustration with the extensive media coverage of the lawsuit compared to more serious global issues. "We're all sick of hearing about this boring movie," she stated, adding that it has received "more press coverage than all the genocides combined."
She mentioned being more concerned with events in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, the UK, and the US, while acknowledging that it was "inappropriate" for her to comment directly on the lawsuit itself. The actress framed her inclusion in the legal documents as feeling "very targeted and very weird, and an attempt to throw me under the bus."
Legal Proceedings Continue
The lawsuit between Lively and Baldoni continues to move forward, with the recently unsealed testimonies from cast and crew members including not only Jamil's texts but also Lively's exchanges with Taylor Swift, emails to Ben Affleck, and communications with Sony Pictures executives.
If the parties cannot reach a settlement during court-ordered talks scheduled for next month, the trial is set to commence in May. The case has attracted significant attention due to the high-profile individuals involved and the substantial damages being sought.
