The internet loves a good "downfall" story, but what happened between Jennifer Abel and Blake Lively isn't just a bit of social media gossip. It’s a full-blown legal cage match involving subpoenas, leaked texts, and career-ending accusations. Honestly, if you followed the It Ends With Us press tour back in 2024, you probably remember the "vibes" being off. But behind the scenes? It was way more calculated than just a couple of actors not getting along.
Basically, Jennifer Abel was the woman in the middle of a high-stakes PR game that backfired spectacularly. She was Justin Baldoni’s publicist, and when the film’s release turned into a nightmare of "he said, she said," things got legal. Fast.
Who is Jennifer Abel?
Most people hadn't heard the name Jennifer Abel until her private text messages were splashed across the New York Times and legal filings. She’s a veteran in the Hollywood PR world, having worked in the industry for over 15 years. Before the drama, she was a partner at a firm called Jonesworks, led by Stephanie Jones.
Abel had a long-standing relationship with Justin Baldoni, the director and star of It Ends With Us. She wasn't just some random hire; she had been his publicist for nearly five years. When the tension between Baldoni and Lively started boiling over, Abel was the one he turned to for "protection."
The "Bury Her" Texts: What Really Happened
The turning point for the public's perception of the Jennifer Abel and Blake Lively situation came when Lively filed an 80-page legal complaint. In those documents, text messages obtained via subpoena painted a pretty dark picture of how the PR team was handling the feud.
One of the most famous leaks involved Abel and crisis management expert Melissa Nathan. In the messages, there were discussions about wanting to "bury" Lively and "destroy" her reputation to get ahead of potential allegations against Baldoni. One text from Abel reportedly said she was having "reckless thoughts" about planting stories about how "horrible" Lively was to work with.
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Abel has since defended these messages, claiming they were "sophomoric jokes" between colleagues who were under immense pressure. She basically said the internet was already doing the work for them, so they didn't actually have to "plant" anything. Whether you believe that or not depends on how you view the "astroturfing" allegations Lively brought forward.
The Breakdown of the Smear Campaign Allegations
Lively’s team argues that Abel and Nathan didn't just joke—they acted. The lawsuit claims they:
- Coordinated a "multi-tiered plan" to discredit Lively.
- Used social media trends to "bury" her complaints about on-set behavior.
- Attempted to frame the narrative as Lively being a "diva" who hijacked the film.
The Lawsuit Within a Lawsuit
Things got even messier when Abel’s former boss, Stephanie Jones, entered the fray. Jones sued Abel, claiming that Abel had secretly conspired to steal Baldoni as a client while still working at Jonesworks.
According to Jones, Abel stole over 70 proprietary documents and used her company phone to coordinate the "smear campaign" against Lively without Jones's knowledge. When Abel returned the phone, Jones found everything. In a wild twist, Jones allegedly handed over those phone records to Lively’s legal team without a subpoena, which Abel is now fighting in court.
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Abel has since filed an amended complaint against Jones, claiming she was a victim of a toxic workplace and "bullying." It’s a giant spiderweb of litigation where everyone is suing everyone.
Why This Matters for Blake Lively's Career
For a while, it looked like Lively might not recover from the "mean girl" narrative that dominated TikTok in late 2024. However, the legal discovery process—specifically the texts from Abel and Nathan—has shifted the conversation.
By showing that there was an actual discussion about "burying" her, Lively has been able to argue that her "bad publicity" wasn't organic, but rather a manufactured hit job. This hasn't completely cleared her name in the court of public opinion, but it has definitely complicated the "villain" narrative.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think this is just a petty fight between two actors. It's not. It’s a battle over employment law, sexual harassment allegations, and PR ethics. 1. It’s about safety: Lively’s complaint includes serious allegations about a "hostile work environment" and inappropriate conduct during nude scenes.
2. It’s about ownership: Much of the friction came from who had creative control over the final cut of the movie.
3. It’s about the "PR machine": This case is a rare look behind the curtain at how celebrities use crisis firms to "destroy" opponents.
The Current Status (2026 Update)
As of early 2026, the legal battles are far from over. The trial for Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni and his team is scheduled for May 2026. Meanwhile, the dispute between Jennifer Abel and Stephanie Jones over "stolen" documents and leaked texts continues to wind its way through the New York court system.
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Abel has started her own firm, RWA Communications, and continues to represent Baldoni. Lively, on the other hand, has largely stayed out of the press, letting her lawyers do the talking.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you’re trying to keep up with the Jennifer Abel and Blake Lively saga without getting lost in the weeds, keep an eye on these specific developments:
- The Deposition Transcripts: As more transcripts from Baldoni and Abel are released, look for how they explain the "bury her" texts under oath.
- The Indemnification Motion: Abel is currently fighting to have her former firm pay for her legal fees. If she wins, it could change how PR firms protect their employees.
- The Discovery Filings: There are thousands of pages of emails still being reviewed. Every time a new "dump" happens, we get a clearer picture of who knew what during the It Ends With Us press tour.
Ultimately, this story is a cautionary tale for Hollywood. It shows that in the digital age, "private" jokes between publicists can become the centerpiece of a multi-million dollar lawsuit.