‘A lie travels halfway...': Amber Heard on Blake Lively's harassment claims against Justin Baldoni

Amber Heard has once again sparked a conversation about the role of social media in shaping public perception, this time weighing in on the recent allegations leveled by Blake Lively against her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni. Speaking to NBC News, Heard reflected on her own experiences with the court of public opinion and how misinformation can snowball into lasting reputational damage.

“Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying ‘A lie travels halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on.’ I saw this firsthand and up close. It’s as horrifying as it is destructive,” Heard stated, drawing a parallel to the defamation case involving her ex-husband Johnny Depp, which dominated headlines for months.

The Depp-Heard trial saw an unprecedented level of public scrutiny, amplified by social media platforms where narratives often diverged sharply from courtroom proceedings. Although the legal battle concluded with a verdict largely in favor of Depp, the polarized online discourse left a lasting impression on Heard, who has since become vocal about the dangers of unchecked misinformation in the digital age.

The Blake Lively Lawsuit
Blake Lively recently filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and orchestrating a smear campaign with PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan during the production of It Ends With Us. According to Lively, the alleged plan aimed to tarnish her reputation and suppress her voice.

While Baldoni has denied the allegations, calling them “completely false” and “intentionally salacious,” the case has ignited widespread discussion about power dynamics and public narratives, topics Heard has frequently addressed since her own legal battles.

Heard’s comments highlight how social media can exacerbate personal and professional conflicts, turning them into public spectacles. During her trial with Depp, social media became a battleground, with hashtags, memes, and viral posts heavily influencing public opinion. The vitriol she faced online, Heard noted, had far-reaching consequences, not just for her career but for her mental health as well.

Although Heard’s interview stopped short of directly addressing the Lively-Baldoni case, her words resonate with the broader implications of the lawsuit. As Lively alleges targeted defamation through orchestrated online efforts, Heard’s experiences serve as a sobering reminder of how quickly misinformation can spiral out of control in the digital age.