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Blake Lively reportedly parts ways with publicist Leslie Sloane after Baldoni case

Blake Lively has reportedly ended her two-decade working relationship with publicist Leslie Sloane, months after settling her legal fight with Justin Baldoni. The Hollywood Reporter says she has signed with Kelly Bush Novak of ID-PR.

2 outlets · 1L · 0C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Daily Mail
Image: The Hollywood Reporter

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The story, neutrally told

Blake Lively has reportedly parted ways with her publicist Leslie Sloane, with whom she had worked for more than two decades. Both outlets say the news was first reported by Page Six; the Daily Mail said it had contacted representatives for Lively and Sloane and had not yet heard back. The Hollywood Reporter says Lively has signed with Kelly Bush Novak, founder and CEO of ID-PR.

Lively sued Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios in December 2024 over alleged harassment and a smear campaign connected to the film It Ends With Us; Baldoni denied the accusations. Baldoni countersued for defamation, naming Sloane as a defendant; the Daily Mail says the $400 million suit was dismissed in October 2025 and that Sloane had denied the smear allegations. Lively settled the remaining case this year. The Daily Mail says she received no settlement money and was awarded only part of the legal fees she sought, while the Hollywood Reporter says the settlement saw Baldoni pay her legal fees.

The Hollywood Reporter describes the change as a fresh start meant to refocus on her career, and says she remains represented by WME, Entertainment 360 and lawyers Lindsey Strasberg and David Weber. The reason for the split has not been confirmed by Lively or Sloane.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Trade-press business story about Lively's new representation, led by her signing with Kelly Bush Novak and framed as a career reset.
Emphasis
Novak's A-list client roster, Lively's other representatives, and the settlement as a win in which Baldoni paid her fees.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not give the fee figures or note that Lively received no settlement money.
Charged language
“power publicist”“fresh start”
For example
“The move is meant to represent a fresh start for Lively with a focus back on her career” — The Hollywood Reporter
“the settlement saw Baldoni pay Lively’s legal fees” — The Hollywood Reporter

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right1 outlet

Framing
Gossip-style report on the split, treated as fallout from the legal fight and Lively's image problems, with the departure attributed to Page Six.
Emphasis
Sloane's role in Baldoni's lawsuit, the smear allegations, the detailed fee figures and the film's box office.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the new publicist, Kelly Bush Novak.
Charged language
“legal showdown”“smear campaign”“Do YOU think a new publicist can turn Blake Lively's image around?”
For example
“Lively was not paid any money in the settlement” — Daily Mail
“Do YOU think a new publicist can turn Blake Lively's image around?” — Daily Mail