Jameela Jamil has addressed the backlash following the release of her texts that referred to Blake Lively as a “suicide bomber” during an ongoing legal dispute. The messages were made public as part of unsealed court documents, revealing Jamil’s candid remarks about Lively and the press surrounding the film “It Ends With Us.”
In December 2024, Justin Baldoni, the film’s director and co-star, filed a lawsuit against Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, citing allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni’s lawsuit prompted a countersuit for alleged extortion and defamation, claimed to be worth $400 million. Lively has denied these allegations.
Jamil’s texts, dated August 2024, became a focal point of the controversy, especially as they were revealed after the lawsuit was filed. “Guys, check the texts. Check the dates on the texts,” Jamil urged, emphasizing that her comments were made before the legal action commenced. She described her intention as merely venting frustration to a friend about the film’s press rollout, stating, “I had no idea about any of this stuff.”
The actress explained her reference to Lively as a “bizarre villain act” was a critique of how the press was managing the film’s narrative. “I grew up with domestic violence in my home. I was a victim of domestic violence in my 20s. It made me feel some type of way,” Jamil said, highlighting the sensitive nature of the film’s themes, including domestic violence.
The backlash against her comments prompted Jamil to clarify her statements on social media. “No one’s ever supposed to see those text messages,” she noted, underscoring that her words were not meant for public consumption.
Jamil also expressed that her choice of words was an exaggerated metaphor for someone undermining their own career, stating, “Me calling her a suicide bomber is just a reference to me watching someone use their own terrible answers in interviews to blow up their own career.” She added, “I would never have put that out there for the world, not because I’m ashamed, but because I don’t want to cause harm or trouble for that person.”
The actress emphasized that discussing frustrations with friends is a normal aspect of life. “That’s healthy. That’s normal,” she stated.
As the legal battle unfolds, the public continues to scrutinize the exchanges between the involved parties. Jamil has encouraged those facing domestic violence to reach out for help, directing them to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.
The controversy surrounding these texts raises broader questions about the intersection of personal conversations and public perception, particularly when addressing serious themes like domestic violence in the entertainment industry.
