Who are Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel? Alleged text messages between PR crisis team hired by Justin Baldoni go viral 

As per multiple sources, Blake Lively has filed a legal complaint against Justin Baldoni alleging s*xual harassment and a smear campaign against the actress, mentioning Baldoni's PR team. According to a report by TMZ dated December 21, 2024, Lively's lawsuit reportedly comprises text messages between Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, which the actress' lawyers recovered via subpoena, supporting her claims of a coordinated attempt to destroy her reputation.

The Daily Mail reported on December 21, 2024, that Baldoni hired Melissa Nathan sometime before August 2, 2024, as a part of his PR team, including Jennifer Abel. According to IMDb, Jennifer Abel is a veteran entertainment strategist and publicist who is also the founder and CEO of RWA Communications. Abel's firm specializes in "legacy building" and working with premiere executives, companies, and talents, curating strategies for them.

Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter's news report dated June 20, 2024, mentions that Melissa Nathan is a communications and public relations strategist who is the founder of The Agency Group. Melissa's company offers reputation management services, digital team services, communications, and personal publicity. Melissa's previous clients include Jonny Depp, Drake, Logan Paul, and the Chainsmokers.

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"You know we can bury anyone"- Text messages between Justin Baldoni's PR crisis team allegedly plotting against Blake Lively go viral

According to a report by Daily Mail dated December 21, 2024, the majority of the reported messages obtained by Blake Lively's lawyers via the subpoena are between Justin Baldoni's PR crisis team members Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel. In one of the alleged messages, Abel said that Justin Baldoni "wants to feel like she [Blake Lively] could be buried," to which Melissa responded:

"You know we can bury anyone but I can't write that to him. I will be very tough."

Melissa also reportedly wrote that while she can deliver what Justin Baldoni wants in terms of burying Blake Lively, they can't send over documents or details of what they will be doing as that could get the PR crisis team in trouble. Melissa said that they can't write "we will destroy her'. The public relations strategist asked Abel to imagine what would happen if a document stating all the things Justin Baldoni wanted ended up in the wrong hands.

Additionally, in another text thread from August 2, 2024, Melissa allegedly told Abel that she had sent the latter a present stating:

"Don't worry, I didn't kill her and send her in a box to your house. It's a congratulations present"

Later the same day, Abel allegedly wrote to Melissa that she was having "reckless thoughts of wanting to plant pieces this week about how horrible Blake is to work with." The text thread reportedly also showcased a message from Justin Baldoni, who suggested that the PR crisis team curate a social media campaign targeted at Blake Lively.

In his text, Justin Baldoni reportedly sent a screenshot of a Twitter thread concerning allegations of bullying against Hailey Bieber, stating:

"This is what we would need."

Moreover, a media strategy document reportedly from Justin Baldoni's PR crisis team outlined how it planned to protect Baldoni's reputation along with It Ends With Us' lead producer, Jamey Heath, and Wayfarer Studios. The document contains multiple alleged talking points to boost Baldoni's image while discrediting Blake Lively.

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Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan have not publicly responded to the lawsuit. Additionally, according to a report by Variety dated December 21, 2024, Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, called Blake Lively's accusations shameful and false.