Celebrity PR Drama: Stephanie Jones Sues Over Alleged Smear Campaign

Top celebrity publicist Stephanie Jones has filed a lawsuit against her former employee Jennifer Abel, crisis PR specialist Melissa Nathan, actor Justin Baldoni, and his company Wayfarer Studios. Jones accuses the group of defamation, breach of contract, and a calculated effort to harm her reputation.

Jones, known for representing stars like Tom Brady and Venus Williams, alleges that Abel and Nathan conspired to damage her name to steal clients and profit from Abel’s planned departure from Jones’ PR firm. The lawsuit claims the pair worked to plant negative media stories about Jones, including one titled, “Who’s Afraid of Stephanie Jones?”

The legal documents include alleged text messages between Abel and Nathan, discussing plans to leave Jones’ company "with a bang" and take Baldoni as a client. Some messages reveal disdain for Baldoni, with Abel allegedly calling him “pompous” and expressing hopes that his movie It Ends With Us would flop.

Jones says she uncovered the scheme in August when Abel was caught downloading confidential documents, leading to her termination. Jones is seeking unspecified damages and aims to restore her professional reputation.

Her attorney, Kristin Tahler, stated, “This group has gaslit and disparaged Stephanie Jones for financial gain and personal revenge. This lawsuit is about recovering the reputation she has worked decades to establish.”

No comments have been made by Baldoni, Abel, or Nathan at this time.