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The rivalry between actress Joan Crawford and film star Bette Davis is legendary, with reports of Crawford calling Davis “a phony.” This intense relationship played out publicly throughout the 1930s and 40s, becoming a subject of intrigue that eventually inspired the Emmy-winning series *Feud* in 2017.
In contrast, today’s Hollywood conflicts often remain behind closed doors, but the recent public spat between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has captivated audiences for months. Emerging from tensions on the set of *It Ends With Us*, both actors have filed lawsuits against each other following a promotional run where they notably avoided appearing together.
Lively has accused Baldoni and others of orchestrating a smear campaign after she raised concerns about sexual harassment during production. Baldoni has countered with allegations against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, claiming they attempted to take control of the film’s narrative. Both parties have denied the respective accusations.
The legal fracas has highlighted the intricacies of Hollywood’s public relations machinery, revealing that crisis PR teams had been deployed by both sides. Notably, texts from Baldoni’s publicist revealed alarming comments about their ability to “bury anyone.”
In response to the unfolding drama, Lively has reportedly recruited Nick Shapiro, a former deputy chief of staff at the CIA, to bolster her legal communication strategy.
While the resolution of the lawsuits remains uncertain, this dispute has drawn attention to an otherwise concealed aspect of the film industry: the behind-the-scenes efforts to manage public image and narrative. Richard Rushfield, founder of the Hollywood newsletter *The Ankler*, notes that on film sets, conflicts and alliances often go unnoticed, with professionals working diligently to control narratives and avoid public fallout.
However, the rise of social media has fundamentally changed the PR landscape in Hollywood, allowing direct interaction between celebrities and their fans, which diminishes the aura of mystery that used to surround stars.
Famous Feuds and Their Impact
Few public disputes among Hollywood A-listers have reached the surface in recent years, and those that have garnered attention tend to do so because they are exceptional. Dwayne Johnson’s well-documented tensions with Vin Diesel over differing philosophies on filmmaking offer one example, while Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy’s reportedly strained interactions on the set of *Mad Max: Fury Road* highlight the potential for conflict even among top-tier actors.
Furthermore, the tensions between Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker during and after *Sex and the City* have become notorious, particularly after Cattrall publicly rejected Parker’s expression of sympathy following her brother’s death.
However, countless disagreements occur behind the scenes without ever seeing the light of day. Publicist Daniel Bee emphasizes that sometimes the most successful public relations campaigns are those that remain unseen, quietly reining in potential crises before they can escalate.
The Changing Landscape of PR
Daniel Bee has witnessed significant shifts in the public relations field since he began his career in 1997. As entertainment news outlets have proliferated, PR efforts now face the additional challenge of navigating social media, where anonymous accounts wield immense influence.
He notes that while traditional public relations employed carefully curated narratives, the immediacy of social media has led to a chaotic landscape where misinformation can easily spread, complicating the efforts to maintain control of public perception.
Eriq Gardner, an entertainment law expert, underscores that manipulation tactics in PR are not new but have evolved with technology. The public can now access an overwhelming amount of information, often blurring the lines between fact and fiction.
One technique that has gained traction is “astroturfing,” where organized campaigns pose as grassroots movements to sway public opinion. This tactic can create a distorted view of reality, making it challenging for audiences to discern authenticity.
Historical Context and Audience Awareness
Historically, smear campaigns were discreetly orchestrated through intimate discussions between publicists and journalists. In today’s digital world, however, transparency has increased, and audiences are often more skeptical of the narratives presented to them. Both Bee and Gardner express uncertainty about whether enough media consumers are exercising the critical thinking necessary to navigate this complex landscape.
Industry insiders, however, are increasingly attuned to distinguishing genuine public sentiment from incentivized narratives. Recognizing signs of manipulated content has become a vital skill for those working in public relations.
The Interconnected Nature of Media
The intricate relationship between Hollywood studios and media outlets complicates the dynamics of how stories are reported. Major publications often receive financial support from studios, which influences the coverage they provide. Rushfield asserts that significant revelations usually come from sources outside of Hollywood, such as investigative reporting by established newspapers.
Recent developments regarding Lively and Baldoni indicate that, while traditional media can still break significant stories, the shifting dynamics of social media may dilute their impact.
As attitudes toward celebrity culture evolve, particularly in the wake of the MeToo movement, the complexities of public perception have intensified. Doreen St Felix believes today’s discourse surrounding harassment and abuse reflects a more jaded, skeptical audience, complicating how such issues are received.
In handling crises, publicists are strategizing to bypass social media’s noise by leaking information to the press first— a tactic that can effectively control the narrative before social media commentary begins.
Ultimately, the recent public feud between Lively and Baldoni underscores not just the personal conflicts of actors, but the broader, complex systems of image management and media influence that characterize the Hollywood landscape today.
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