In a development no one saw coming, Hollywood has been jolted by the revelation that Blake Lively has allegedly dragged celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and outspoken political commentator Candace Owens into a growing controversy surrounding actor and director Justin Baldoni. Sources close to the matter claim Lively is ready to expose what she believes is a calculated smear campaign against her name, and she’s bringing in some of the most surprising witnesses imaginable to back her up — whether they like it or not.

The shocking twist emerged late last night when a leaked legal draft, reportedly prepared by Lively’s team, revealed plans to subpoena both Hilton and Owens to testify about their knowledge of how damaging rumors about Lively have been circulated through back channels in Hollywood gossip circles and social media networks. The allegations point directly at Justin Baldoni — the heartthrob known for Jane the Virgin and his reputation as a “nice guy” in the industry — as the mastermind behind what one source calls a “deliberate smear machine.”

For the uninitiated, the tensions between Lively and Baldoni have never been public until now. The leak suggests that their feud goes deeper than the occasional professional clash. Some insiders claim the conflict began years ago when the two were briefly attached to the same film project. Creative disagreements reportedly turned personal after Lively walked away from the project, and Baldoni, according to these allegations, didn’t take kindly to being left in the lurch.

Adding Perez Hilton and Candace Owens to this already explosive situation takes it into uncharted territory. Hilton, the notorious gossip blogger, practically invented the modern celebrity rumor mill, while Owens is better known for her polarizing political commentary than Hollywood gossip. So why them? According to people close to Lively’s legal circle, both figures have been looped into conversations — knowingly or unknowingly — that connect dots between Baldoni’s alleged behind-the-scenes moves and a surge of negative stories that have hounded Lively in recent months.

One source says Hilton has “detailed knowledge” of how certain stories found their way onto gossip blogs and tabloids, with suspiciously timed leaks that always seemed to put Lively in a bad light just as her projects were about to launch. Meanwhile, Owens’ unexpected involvement stems from social media interactions in which she apparently exchanged direct messages with individuals connected to Baldoni’s PR team. The nature of those exchanges remains unclear, but Lively’s lawyers reportedly believe they can prove they form part of a pattern showing coordinated attacks.

Neither Hilton nor Owens has publicly responded to the leak yet, though a source close to Hilton says he is “shocked but not surprised” that he’s been dragged into another celebrity courtroom circus. Owens, for her part, has hinted on X (formerly Twitter) that she’s ready to “speak the truth if asked” — though she did not mention Lively or Baldoni by name.

As for Baldoni, his representatives have forcefully denied any involvement in a smear campaign, calling the allegations “baseless nonsense” and insisting that Lively’s legal maneuvering is nothing more than a desperate distraction from her own public image woes. They argue that Baldoni has “always conducted himself with integrity” and that dragging outside personalities like Hilton and Owens into a private dispute is “reckless and attention-seeking.”

Fans are already picking sides. Lively, who is beloved for her wit and charm both on-screen and on social media, has a loyal following ready to defend her at all costs. Many are calling her bold for refusing to let rumors fester in the shadows. Meanwhile, Baldoni’s supporters insist this is all a ploy to tear down a man who has dedicated years to championing positive masculinity and open conversations about vulnerability — values that would be fundamentally at odds with the cutthroat tactics he’s accused of.

Industry insiders say this case could send a chilling signal through the world of celebrity gossip. If Lively’s subpoenas go forward, they could expose how carefully orchestrated “leaks” and damaging stories are planted and spread — and whether the stars themselves, or those around them, weaponize gossip blogs and influencers for private vendettas.

For now, both sides are bracing for a battle that could get uglier before it ever sees the inside of a courtroom. Will Perez Hilton cave under pressure and reveal backroom deals he’s kept secret for years? Will Candace Owens truly testify about her DMs, and what will they reveal about the intersection of fame, politics, and influence in today’s digital rumor mill?

One thing is certain: if Blake Lively has her way, Justin Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign will have to face the cold light of public scrutiny — and Hollywood may never spin gossip quite the same way again. Stay tuned, because this scandal is far from over, and the next bombshell could drop at any moment. See more.