Jameela Jamil Defends Feminism After Blake Lively Feud

The simmering legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over the 2024 film It Ends With Us has erupted into a full-blown celebrity firestorm, drawing in unexpected players and exposing the fault lines of Hollywood’s culture wars. At the heart of the latest controversy is actress and activist Jameela Jamil, whose private texts—recently made public as part of the lawsuit—have ignited fierce debate about feminism, loyalty, and the cost of speaking out.

According to unsealed court documents reported by TMZ, The Hollywood Reporter, and Paste Magazine, Jameela Jamil exchanged a series of blunt and biting messages with Jennifer Abel, the publicist for Justin Baldoni, in August 2024. The texts, which surfaced on January 22 and 23, 2026, were triggered by a viral TikTok that criticized Blake Lively’s approach to promoting It Ends With Us. The film, which tackles the harrowing subject of domestic violence, was at the center of heated scrutiny—not just for its content, but for the way its stars handled the conversation around it.

In the messages, Jamil didn’t mince words. Reacting to Lively’s press tour behavior—where the actress was seen promoting her haircare brand and maintaining a light-hearted tone despite the film’s serious themes—Abel wrote, “I want to officially incorporate nightmare c— and demon c— into my vocabulary; UNBELIEVABLE.” Jamil replied, “She’s a suicide bomber at this point.” The exchange only grew sharper, with Jamil describing Lively’s subsequent Instagram post linking to a domestic violence survivors’ hotline as “so cold, just some stats and a link.” She added, “I’ve never seen such a bizarre villain act before. She’s OVER over.” Abel, for her part, confessed, “I hate her so much,” to which Jamil echoed, “So much.”

The texts, explosive in their candor, quickly became the centerpiece of a wider conversation about the boundaries of private criticism, the responsibilities of public figures, and the meaning of feminist solidarity. The timing couldn’t have been worse for Lively, who was already facing a wave of backlash over her perceived insensitivity during the film’s press cycle. As The Hollywood Reporter noted, many observers felt Lively’s promotional tactics clashed uncomfortably with the gravity of the film’s subject matter—domestic abuse.

But the drama didn’t end with the texts. The legal documents also revealed a tangled web of celebrity communications, including messages between Lively and her reportedly estranged friend Taylor Swift, and a now-viral email Lively sent to Ben Affleck. Meanwhile, Baldoni—who directed and starred alongside Lively in the film—remained embroiled in the lawsuit, which was filed by Lively in December 2024. The suit alleges sexual harassment on set and accuses Baldoni of orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign against her, both of which he has denied. Baldoni’s own $400 million countersuit, which claimed Lively defamed him and “robbed” him of creative control, was swiftly dismissed. A trial is scheduled to begin in May 2026 in New York City.

As the court filings made headlines, Jameela Jamil found herself in the crosshairs. Critics accused her of undermining a woman who had come forward with allegations of workplace abuse, especially given that Jamil and Abel both share professional ties with Baldoni. The optics, as Paste Magazine pointed out, were undeniably awkward: “It’s just unfortunate when the woman you were hating on is the one involved in a sexual harassment lawsuit in which Baldoni is accused of creating a sexist, uncomfortable, creepy, and hostile working environment.”

Jamil, never one to shy away from controversy, responded publicly on January 22 and 23, 2026, via a series of Instagram Stories. In her videos, she sought to clarify her position on feminism and address the backlash. “Guys, feminism means fighting for the political, social and economic equity for women,” she said, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter. “Just gender equity. It does not mean you have to like every single woman. It doesn’t mean you have to be friends with every single woman. It means you can actually beef with other women. You can criticize them. You can do whatever you want, as long as you are also fighting for their human right to the same things that men have in this world.”

Jamil continued, “That’s all feminism is. It’s a moral and political stance. It is not a sleepover where we braid each other’s pubes, okay? So if you are fighting for women’s rights, but you don’t get along with every single woman, it doesn’t make you a bad feminist.” Her remarks, though delivered with characteristic irreverence, struck a chord—and sparked further debate about the line between personal animosity and public advocacy.

From Lively’s camp, the response was swift and pointed. A source close to the actress told TMZ, “It’s disappointing that instead of listening to women when they speak out, other women call them names and discredit them in defense of a fake male feminist.” The comment underscored the emotional stakes of the case and highlighted the divisions within Hollywood’s activist circles.

The broader context of the lawsuit looms large over the entire episode. Lively’s allegations against Baldoni—sexual harassment and a coordinated campaign to destroy her reputation—have brought renewed attention to the power dynamics and gender politics of the entertainment industry. The unsealed documents, which also include communications from other high-profile figures like Taylor Swift and Ben Affleck, reveal just how complex and interconnected these disputes can become when played out on the public stage.

Meanwhile, the public remains divided. Some see Jamil’s defense as a refreshing reminder that women need not automatically support one another simply by virtue of shared gender. Others argue that her private comments, especially given the context of the lawsuit, cross a line and risk reinforcing the very culture of disbelief and dismissal that many activists have spent years trying to dismantle.

For her part, Jamil appears unfazed by the controversy. Her Instagram Stories, though now expired, made clear that she sees no contradiction between her feminism and her willingness to criticize other women. “It does not mean you have to like every single woman,” she insisted. “It means you can actually beef with other women. You can criticize them. You can do whatever you want, as long as you are also fighting for their human right to the same things that men have in this world.”

As the May 2026 trial date approaches, all eyes will remain on the courtroom—and on the ever-expanding cast of characters drawn into its orbit. The outcome of Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni may ultimately hinge on legal arguments and evidence, but the public reckoning over feminism, solidarity, and the right to dissent is likely to linger long after the verdict is in.

In a world where private conversations can become public scandals overnight, the boundaries between advocacy, criticism, and loyalty have never been blurrier—or more fiercely contested.