Kate Beckinsale recently opened up about workplace harassment, sharing experiences to support Blake Lively’s claims against Justin Baldoni. Baldoni faces allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation during the production of It Ends With Us. Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni of showing explicit materials and launching a smear campaign after she spoke out. These revelations have sparked conversations about abuse in Hollywood and had widespread support for Lively. Beckinsale’s story highlights the ongoing struggles women face in the entertainment industry.
In an emotional video, Beckinsale recalled being insulted for talking about a co-star’s unprofessional behavior while on set. Her male colleague’s daily intoxication caused delays, affecting her time with her daughter. The studio’s response trivialized her concerns, offering her a bike instead of discussing the issue. For speaking up about the situation, they labeled her with derogatory names. Such incidents reflect the culture of dismissiveness and victim-blaming prevalent on film sets.
The 51-year-old revealed she had to undergo extreme diets during production, which led to health issues like “lost my periods all together.” On another set, a male co-star injured her during a fight scene, with no accountability taken. Despite MRI evidence, she was iced out for raising concerns, further isolating her from the cast. Beckinsale also shared the traumatic experience of filming shortly after a miscarriage under threat of legal action. These instances underline systemic abuse and exploitation in the film industry.
“There’s a certain kind of actor who gets a thrill out of legally being able to harm a woman during a fight sequence,” the actress said. “And I was harmed, to the point where there were MRIs proving it. I was gaslit and made to feel like I was the problem and blamed and left out of cast dinners as soon as I mentioned there was a problem,” she explained.
Kate Beckinsale Calls for the Industry to Do Better
The actress spoke on broader issues, including how social media worsens harassment and undermines survivors’ credibility. Beckinsale expressed gratitude to Lively for shedding light on issues in Hollywood. She criticized the industry’s tendency to destroy individuals who dare to speak out against misconduct. Her experiences emphasize the need for accountability and systemic change to protect vulnerable workers. Public support for survivors is crucial to challenging power dynamics and creating a safer environment.
“I don’t want anybody, male or female, who has a legitimate complaint to then have that weaponized against them in any industry, anywhere, and I mention this in association with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni because our industry makes things more visible due to the press and the public getting deliberately involved and led towards an opinion they don’t realize is deliberate.” She continued, “There are far too many casualties of this, many of whom I know personally, and it really falls to both men and women in our industry to be part of stamping this out for good.”
Celebrities like Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, and America Ferrera have also voiced their support with Lively. Beckinsale’s bravery in sharing her story adds weight to ongoing efforts to combat harassment. By speaking on these issues, Hollywood can start addressing its toxic culture that has gone unchecked for years. Beckinsale’s testimony is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing together.