EXCLUSIVE: What would you do if thousands of your text messages to your closest friends were leaked to the public?
That is the predicament Blake Lively has found herself in as her private texts, which were part of previously sealed court documents, were revealed as part of her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni over the It Ends With Us drama.
That drama is far from over, as this week, Lively and Baldoni met for the first time for court-mandated mediation as part of her sexual harassment case against him.
The lawsuit involving Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has drawn in a web of big-name stars. (Getty/Graphic: Polly Hanning)
They failed to reach a settlement and left the court separately after six hours. Afterwards, when asked if he believed the May 18 trial would still go ahead, Baldoni’s lawyer said: “I do. We’re looking forward to it.”
Since the texts and emails leaked, questions have swirled about what the stars involved are going to do as fans and media label the messages “embarrassing.”
Nick Owens, an expert in crisis management and public relations, tells nine.com.au the best reply is sometimes no reply.
“If there’s something embarrassing in those texts, it’s sort of difficult to get out of it … there isn’t much you can do,” he said.
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This week, Lively and Baldoni met for the first time for court-mandated mediation as part of her sexual harassment case against him. (AP)
“The nature of this case, they may need to do some reputation repair with the people affected by the leaks.”
Lively’s unsealed messages revealed much about her legal battle, including the toll it took on her close friendship with Taylor Swift. 
The exchange began when Livley messaged the singer asking if the pair were OK, saying she had “a feeling something may not be right” between them.
Justin Baldoni leaves a courthouse after failing to reach a settlement with Lively. (AP)
“I feel really bad saying anything about this because your texts have been so nice in their intent but your last few… it’s felt like I was reading a mass corporate email sent to 200 employees,” Swift frankly replied.
“I just kinda miss my funny, dark, normal-speaking friend who talks to me as herself.”
The massive dump of texts also included messages from Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds, and messages from Lively asking Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to give her feedback on the film and its script. 
There were also messages exchanged between Jameela Jamil and her publicist Jennifer Abel, whom the British actress shares with Baldoni.
The messages painted Jamil in an “anti-feminist” light as she spoke about Lively and the situation.
“I want to officially incorporate nightmare c— and demon c— into my vocabulary; UNBELIEVABLE; She’s doing this to herself,” Abel wrote to Jamil.
“Never seen such a bizarre villain act before. [Lively’s] a suicide bomber at this point,” Jamil responded.
Justin Baldoni is at the centre of the lawsuit, accused of sexual harassment by Lively. (Getty)
Owens said if there’s anything to be learned from the leaked messages situation, it is to never write anything in a text that you wouldn’t want to see in a news headline.
”There are lots of situations where lawyers will say, ‘Don’t put things in writing, because it can go anywhere’,” he said.
“You can lose control of where it appears … sometimes it is better to pick up the phone and say it over text or even in person.
“Nothing is really private.” 
Lively asked Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to give her feedback on the film as she reworked it.  (Getty Images for Netflix)
There were also messages between Jameela Jamil and publicist Jennifer Abel, whom she shares with Baldoni. (The Hollywood Reporter via Getty)
The leaked texts gave an insight into the controversy and scandals that plagued It Ends With Us ahead of its release last year.
Among them were sexual harassment accusations against Baldoni, filed by Lively, as well as claims he coordinated a smear campaign against the actress to “destroy her reputation.”
Owens said when it comes to complaints over a toxic workplace, oftentimes the most public comment isn’t the first or only example.
He says you can’t crisis-manage your way out of a truly toxic environment. 
The leaked texts further exposed the controversy that plagued It Ends With Us ahead of its release last year. (GC Images)
“If someone’s accused you of running a toxic workplace in text messages, then maybe you should take a good look at your workplace,” Owens said.
”People think it’s an easy PR fix-it, but sometimes the other problem goes deeper than just the PR damage … What is the root of it?
“Sometimes there’s a deeper problem there that needs to be fixed.” 
Nine.com.au is not implying any wrongdoing from anyone involved.
The trial is scheduled to take place on May 18, but legal experts say a settlement is still possible.
Lively and Baldoni are expected to testify if the case proceeds.
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