Justin Baldoni, the actor and director known for his role in Jane the Virgin, is facing significant backlash following a lawsuit filed against him by Blake Lively. Just two weeks prior, Baldoni was honored with the “Voices of Solidarity Award” from the organization Vital Voices, which recognizes “remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls in the United States and around the world.” However, the recent allegations have led the organization to rescind the award.
The award ceremony took place on December 9, where Baldoni was presented with the honor by fellow actor Hasan Minhaj. After the event, Minhaj took to Instagram to express his admiration for Baldoni, writing, “Thank you, brother, for using your brilliant mind to be of service by challenging us all and making us laugh at the same time. No one does it better. Thank you for being a true friend and always showing up—but most importantly, when the cameras aren’t rolling.”
However, the mood has shifted dramatically since then. On December 21, Vital Voices released a statement announcing the revocation of the award. They stated, “The Voices of Solidarity Award honors remarkable men who have shown courage and compassion in advocating on behalf of women and girls. On December 9, 2024, we recognized Justin Baldoni with this award. On Saturday, December 21, we learned through news reports about a lawsuit brought by Blake Lively against Mr. Baldoni, his publicists, and others that is disturbing and alleges abhorrent conduct. The communications among Mr. Baldoni and his publicists included in the lawsuit – and the PR effort they indicate – are, alone, contrary to the values of Vital Voices and the spirit of the Award. We have notified Mr. Baldoni that we have rescinded this award.”
The lawsuit filed by Blake Lively accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. This shocking revelation has sent ripples through the entertainment industry, raising questions about the dynamics on the set of It Ends With Us, where both actors worked together. The allegations have not only tarnished Baldoni’s reputation but have also led to significant changes in his professional relationships.
Adding to the unfolding drama, Liz Plank, Baldoni’s co-host on The Man Enough Podcast, has also made headlines by announcing her departure from the show. Liz, a journalist and author, co-launched the podcast in 2021 alongside Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath. Just days after Blake filed her complaint, Liz took to Instagram to share her decision, stating, “I’m writing to you today to let you know that I have had my representatives inform Wayfarer that I will no longer be co-hosting The Man Enough podcast. Thank you for trusting me with your hearts and stories, for holding space for mine, and for making this show what it was. I will miss you, the listeners, so much. I love what this community created together with every fiber of my being, and that’s because of you.”
In her heartfelt message, Liz continued, “As this chapter closes for me, I remain committed to the values we’ve built together. Thank you for being here, for trusting me, and for being by my side for the last four years. We all deserve better, and I know that together, we can create it.” She concluded her statement by promising to share more in the future as she processes the recent events, emphasizing her support for those who call out injustice.
Liz also expressed her hope that the comment section could remain a space of support and kindness, reflecting the community they had built together. “I will miss you, I will be sharing more soon, I appreciate your compassion and patience. I hope this comment section can be a place of support, respect, and kindness, a reflection of the community we’ve built together. ❤️”
Since October 28, The Man Enough Podcast has not released a new episode. The podcast, which aimed to explore masculinity and promote healthy conversations around gender, now finds itself in a precarious position as the fallout from the lawsuit continues to unfold.
