Johnny Depp’s Lawyer Responds to Justin Baldoni’s ‘Aggressive’ Tactics in Blake Lively Lawsuit

Tyler Kent | 06 February 2025
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Celebrity Interviews
The Real Reason Liam Payne’s Girlfriend Left Him in Argentina: She Speaks Out for the First Time

Kate Cassidy, Liam Payne’s girlfriend, has finally addressed the real reason she left him in Argentina before his death, offering insight in her first interview since his passing.

At the time, rumors circulated suggesting the couple had broken up after two years of dating. However, Cassidy has now set the record straight, revealing the truth behind their separation.

A UK inquest confirmed that the cause of the singer’s death was ‘polytrauma,’ following a fall from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16, 2024.

In an interview with The Sun, Cassidy shared that, had she known what was coming, she “would never have left him there” alone.

Kate had left Argentina just two days before Liam’s tragic death, and some speculated that she returned to Miami, Florida, due to a breakup or arguments. Cassidy rejected these theories, explaining that she left to care for their rescue dog, Nala.

“I had a responsibility, we had a responsibility. We had our dog, and obviously, I never, ever thought this event would occur,” she said.

The 25-year-old added that they had initially planned to stay in Argentina for only about a week, but the trip ended up lasting two weeks. “It was a tragic accident, and no, I never thought (he might die young). But, you know, we did have our own separate lives — this wasn’t the first time we had traveled separately,” Cassidy explained. “I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did.”

Cassidy emphasized that “Liam was in such a good headspace” when she left him in Argentina.

Two days after her return to Miami, Cassidy received the heartbreaking news of his death while scrolling through TikTok.

Beauty
How TikTok is Fueling the Demand for the Latest Beauty Products

Two years ago, snail mucin became a viral TikTok beauty trend, and skincare startup Byoma recognized an opportunity.

Originally found in Korean formulas and praised for its glassy finish, snail mucin’s surge in popularity overlooked consumers who avoid animal-derived ingredients. In 2023, Byoma developed a plant-based alternative to cater to vegan or snail-skeptical shoppers, incorporating it into what founder and CEO Marc Elrick called a “super serum” that had been five years in the making. This week, the ingredient took center stage in the brand’s newly launched Phyto Mucin Glow Serum.

This launch is just one example of how TikTok-driven trends have influenced countless beauty brands for nearly half a decade. Today, viral products and consumer trends play a significant role in shaping the development of new product lines, according to Clare Hennigan, principal analyst for beauty and personal care at Mintel. She noted that standout products often fall into two categories: affordable dupes or fresh spins on familiar items.

Sales surges for products like Dior lip oil or Drunk Elephant’s bronzer drops have quickly sparked “fast followers” — other brands launching their own versions of these popular items. However, while fast fashion can produce copycat clothing within weeks, the beauty industry operates at a slower pace. A typical timeline of at least two years is common for brands focused on original formulations tested through clinical trials. Beauty brands must find a way to release on-trend products without missing the moment. Amid the flood of trending products, some have managed to stand out through clever marketing and retail strategies, like E.l.f Beauty’s success with multiple products, Glow Recipe’s bronzer drops, and Byoma’s milky toner last year.

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Entertainment
Johnny Depp’s Lawyer Responds to Justin Baldoni’s ‘Aggressive’ Tactics in Blake Lively Lawsuit

Johnny Depp's lawyer has shared his thoughts on Justin Baldoni’s public handling of the lawsuit involving Blake Lively.

During the February 4 episode of the Law&Crime Sidebar with Jesse Weber podcast, Benjamin Chew, who represented Depp in his high-profile defamation trial against Amber Heard, described Baldoni’s approach to the case as “very aggressive.”

Chew was particularly commenting on Baldoni’s decision to launch a website featuring his amended complaint and an alleged “timeline of relevant events” to counter Lively’s sexual harassment accusations. “Usually, you wouldn’t do something like that before a hearing, but I’m sure they carefully vetted it,” Chew said. “I think it’s very aggressive.”

Although Chew is not involved in either lawsuit, he expressed surprise at how Baldoni and his legal team are addressing the allegations. “Certainly posting a pleading doesn’t seem to me to be out of bounds. These are pleadings made in the public record,” he noted, but added that it’s a “novel approach, a bold approach.”

When asked about who has the upper hand in the case, Depp’s lawyer preferred to “remain agnostic,” but pointed out that presenting “receipts” like video and text messages would be “particularly persuasive,” as such evidence is “more impactful” than simply “assertions of counsel.”

The legal drama began when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment, creating a “hostile work environment,” and causing her “severe emotional distress” during the making of their 2024 film It Ends With Us. Their dynamic raised eyebrows during the film's press tour in the summer of 2024, as Baldoni, who also directed the film, and Lively were not seen promoting the movie together.

Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, denied Lively’s claims, calling them “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” He suggested Lively filed the lawsuit to “fix her negative reputation” and to “rehash a narrative” surrounding the production of the film. Freedman also claimed Lively made “multiple demands and threats” during filming, including threatening to not show up on set or promote the film unless her demands were met, which he said contributed to the movie’s troubles at release.

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