Blake Lively’s civil rights complaint against Justin Baldoni isn’t just dominating headlines. It’s also inspiring other actresses to speak out against the toxic masculinity and on-set harassment they say they’ve experienced themselves.

In separate social media posts this week, Kate Beckinsale and Abigail Breslin shared their own stories about harassment and retaliation, describing them as part of an industrywide problem. And while they didn’t name many names, they both pointed to Lively’s high-profile case as the impetus for speaking up.

“What it has highlighted is this machine that goes into effect when a woman complains about something legitimately offensive, upsetting, harmful, or whatever in this industry,” Beckinsale said in her Instagram video.

Months after the release of Lively’s movie It Ends With Us, she filed a lengthy complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department accusing Baldoni — her co-star and director — of sexually harassing her and violating her physical boundaries, prompting her to raise concerns during filming.

In the complaint, which was published by the New York Times in mid-December, Lively also alleges that Baldoni and his production studio, Wayfarer, then retaliated against her by hiring a crisis publicity firm to smear her reputation during the movie’s promotional cycle this summer.

Bryan Freedman, an attorney for the studio, told NPR that Lively’s claims are “categorically false” and “another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation.” But consequences for Baldoni have been swift: His talent agency dropped him, his podcast co-host publicly quit and a global women-focused nonprofit rescinded a solidarity award it had given him just weeks earlier.

Lively’s complaint — which could be the precursor to a lawsuit — includes thousands of pages of texts and emails between Baldoni and his representatives, which her lawyers say were obtained through a subpoena. She hasn’t spoken publicly beyond the legal filing.

“I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted,” Lively told The Times in a statement.

In the days since, a growing number of Hollywood actresses have come forward to thank Lively for doing so — and to lend a hand in lifting that curtain.

Beckinsale says she has “about 47 million” similar stories

Beckinsale posted an Instagram video on Monday detailing examples of poor working conditions on various film sets and the retaliation she said she’s experienced for speaking out about them.

Speaking into the camera, Beckinsale stressed that she doesn’t know Lively or Baldoni personally and wasn’t on the set of It Ends With Us herself — but in her own career has amassed “about 47 million stories similar to this.”

The British actress, who made her on-screen debut in Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, is known for her roles in action films like Van Helsing, Total Recall and the Underworld franchise.

Beckinsale described being “felt up” by a trusted crew member on a film when she was 18, and having her concerns dismissed by both actresses she told — including one who was “known for being a supporter of women.”

She also recalled working on a film set where her co-star was “drunk every day,” which resulted in long hours that kept her from seeing her daughter. She said raising those concerns only ended up hurting her, as people on set referred to her in pejorative terms and the studio dismissively gave her a bike “so I could ride around the studio lot while I was waiting.”

Editor’s note: The following video contains profanity which some viewers may find offensive.

Some of the consequences were physical, she said. She cited two instances where she was put on such a strict diet and exercise regimen for a movie that she lost her period, and spoke of being forced by her own publicist to do a photoshoot while bleeding from a miscarriage.

Beckinsale also said she had been harmed in a “very unsafe fight situation” with two different actors in two different films.

“I was gaslit and made to feel like I was the problem — blamed and ostracized, left out of cast dinners, not spoken to — as soon as I mentioned there was a problem,” she added.

The only individual Beckinsale mentioned by name was disgraced former producer Harvey Weinstein, whose decades of alleged sexual misconduct fueled the global #MeToo movement when they came to light in 2017. Beckinsale says in the video that she was fortunate enough never to have been harassed by Weinstein, but described how he would blacklist actors who turned down his projects.

Beckinsale says she often hears men say the climate has gotten better since over the years — but was quick to dispute that notion.

“I’m grateful to Blake Lively for highlighting the fact that this is not an archaic problem that no one’s facing — this is continuing,” she said. “And then when it does happen, a machine goes into place to absolutely destroy you.”

Breslin breaks her silence on the since-dismissed lawsuit against her  

Abigail Breslin — whose 2006 starring role in Little Miss Sunshine propelled her to fame at age 10 — also took to social media to share her thoughts.

“In light of recent events regarding the attempt to destroy the career and livelihood of a fellow actress and woman, I have felt compelled to write this, as I have unfortunately been subject to the same toxic masculinity throughout my life,” Breslin, now 28, wrote in a Tumblr post that she also shared on Instagram.

Breslin went on to discuss one of those experiences, commenting publicly for the first time on a since-withdrawn lawsuit filed against her last year by producers of her 2024 film Classified.

“When a suit was filed against me by a former employer, (the suit was withdrawn), after making a confidential complaint against a coworker for unprofessional behavior, I had the silly and naive impression that they would believe me,” Breslin wrote.

According to Variety and other entertainment news outlets, the producers of Classified sued Breslin after she made accusations against her older male co-star, Aaron Eckhart.

The complaint, obtained by Variety, says production on the film “almost ground to a halt” after Breslin accused Eckhart of “aggressive, demeaning and unprofessional behavior” that “placed her at various times in peril.” The lawsuit says the on-set producer investigated and “found no evidence” to support Breslin’s “wild, hysterical and imaginary allegations” against her co-star. Her refusal to be alone with Eckhart in certain scenes also forced them to spend $80,000 in accommodations, according to court documents cited by Variety.

A representative for Breslin told People at the time that the actress “categorically denies all contended allegations against her and unequivocally stands by her statement, which she confidentially provided to SAG,” referring to the actors’ union.

NPR has reached out to representatives for Eckhart, who has not commented publicly on the lawsuit or the allegations within it. Jeffrey Konvitz, who represented the producers in the lawsuit, confirmed to NPR that the case was settled by the parties and dismissed, but declined to comment further.

“Instead of being believed and protected, a suit was filed against me for having the audacity to speak up,” Breslin wrote. “I was publicly shamed and defamed in the process. A reputation I had cultivated for over 2 decades had now been tainted as I became the crazy, paranoid and, to quote directly, ‘hysterical and wild’ woman, who apparently just had it in for men.”

Breslin expressed her disappointment that the #MeToo movement didn’t lead to more lasting changes as she had hoped. She said she’s realized that experiences like hers have become the norm, and that “behind closed doors — to them — we are still just noisy women.”

“To change the narrative, we do not need more women to scream,” she said. “We just need a lot more men to shut up and listen.”

Other actresses speak up in support of Lively 

A number of other actors have come forward to show their support for Lively in the days since news of her complaint broke.

She’s received public encouragement and thanks from several people involved in It Ends With Us, from book author Colleen Hoover to co-stars Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar.

Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera and Amber Tamblyn — friends of Lively’s since they starred together in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants films of the early 2000s — issued a joint statement of solidarity.

“We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment,” they wrote. “We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others.”

I covered my empty wine glass as the Italian waitress made her rounds, a bottle of Chianti in hand. “I’m not drinking right now,” I said, even though I was on my honeymoon in Tuscany.

Earlier this year, I decided to take a break from alcohol, which also happened to be around the same time my husband and I booked our honeymoon in Italy. I hadn’t expected my decision to be longlasting. I thought I’d be back to imbibing by the time I went on my trip, but three months of sobriety quickly became six.

It felt strange to board the plane for my vacation without pregaming at the airport with my usual Grey Goose dirty martini and just as weird to not have a glass of red wine with pasta, but doing so ended up enhancing my trip and confirmed that my decision to stop drinking was a good one. Without alcohol, I slept great, lost a few pounds and felt less anxious. I suddenly had more time in my day to write, take yoga classes and read novels — things I loved to do but struggled to fit into my schedule. Before I knew it, I had decided to go a year without alcohol.

I’m not alone in my decision to cut back. Studies show that adults under 35 are drinking less than they have in prior decades and a growing number of Americans are sober curious. It’s always tough to stay sober, and it becomes even more of a challenge during this time of year, when there’s a joyful feeling in the air and practically everyone around you is raising a glass to celebrate.

Having a drink might feel good in the short-term, but the long-term effects of alcohol can often be damaging, according to Brianda Gonzalez, founder and CEO of The New Bar, a Los Angeles-based retailer of nonalcoholic beverages.

“You never regret doing the right thing for yourself, but it’s often so much easier to do the thing that won’t feel so good tomorrow,” she said.

This is especially true during the holidays.

“Alcohol has been around forever, and we’ve been taught to appreciate it as almost an essential or a given that it’s going to be part of any celebration,” she said.

I almost caved plenty of times the first month of sobriety, but it became a little easier when I built new routines into my schedule: happy-hour hikes and ice cream in lieu of nightcaps. I even called my local cocktail bar and asked them to make me a bottle of mocktails to-go. That said, one thing I couldn’t ever figure out was how to celebrate an occasion — whether a holiday party, family get-together or wedding without alcohol. How does one feel festive without Champagne? I consulted experts for tips.

1. Experiment with alcohol substitutes

First and foremost, get creative, says Gonzalez. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients can transform a nonalcoholic drink from a self-imposed alternative into something that feels special, whether it’s a persimmon gin fizz or a spiced whiskey sour. Giving your drink a beautiful garnish and serving it in a fancy glass also helps. By enhancing the sensory experience, you can mimic the pleasure that comes with having a drink and replicate the sophistication of a craft cocktail.

On the sparkling nonalcoholic front, Gonzalez recommends Prima Pavé Blanc de Blanc, a nonalcoholic wine produced in northeastern Italy, and French Bloom’s La Cuvee, which “feels really, really elevated and special for a super celebratory moment,” she said. “It tastes like a vintage Champagne.”

It’s no longer uncommon to see mocktails on the menu at your favorite restaurant or bar. In Irvine, Solstice seasonally switches up its mocktail list every three months and flavors drinks with house-made shrubs and syrups. If it’s glamour you’re after, check out the Wolves downtown, which offers affordable cocktails on par with the real thing under a historic domed stained glass ceiling. For more spirit-free retail locations, check out Soft Spirits in Silver Lake, which has an adaptogenic section and sells a Spritz Italiano from L.A.-based De Soi (co-founded by Katy Perry and Morgan McLachlan).

2. Set boundaries and stay active

The holidays are a tough time for both the sober among us and those who want to drink less, said Ann Dowsett Johnston, a psychotherapist specializing in addiction. She recommends arriving at a party with your own nonalcoholic beverage and giving yourself permission to leave the party early and get a good night’s sleep.

“As soon as people start repeating themselves or slurring, you are going to want to go home,” Johnston said.

Another tip: Plan activities that don’t revolve around sitting and drinking, like going for a hike or checking out a new museum.

“I think that can be a really helpful way to have a more balanced holiday season while still feeling like you’re celebrating and participating in things that bring you joy,” Gonzalez said.

When I was in Tuscany, my husband and I went on misty afternoon walks through olive orchards and got out our birding apps to identify the European robins chattering in the background. We sipped post-lunch cappuccinos in small Tuscan towns, read the books that we never had the time to finish and had a few good laughs using Google Translate to order meals in Italian. In Rome, I woke up with enough energy to walk six miles, from the Piazza Navona to the Roman Forum. And given that it was our honeymoon, it’s worth mentioning that sober sex is way better than the drunken version.

3. Resist FOMO

Even with the clear benefits that came from being sober on my honeymoon, I still felt like I was missing out on something come dinnertime, surrounded by wine bottles on every table and laughter echoing off all corners of the room. That’s a common feeling, Johnston said.

“I think often when we give up drinking, we go into scarcity mode,” said Johnston, who’s been sober for 16 years and wrote about her experience in her 2013 book “Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol.”

She suggested writing a gratitude list of five things you’re thankful for every morning. It might sound quaint, but it works. Sobriety is always one of the things I’m thankful for when I journal every morning. Whenever I’m feeling the temptation to drink, I think about having to face myself on the page. I know that I won’t ever regret not having a drink. Sobriety brings the certainty I need in my life right now.

4. Give yourself credit — and grace

I’ve tried plenty of mocktails, but what comes closest to that celebratory feeling for me is hitting the 28th day of the month — my sobriety marker. Every time the date rolls around, it feels like a celebration. Strangely, it often arrives when I’d normally be celebrating with alcohol: my birthday, a writing retreat with friends, even my honeymoon. Seeing that date in my journal and writing that I’ve made it another month feels miles better than popping the cork off a bottle of Dom Perignon.

That said, if you’re trying to be sober but slip up and have a drink, don’t beat yourself up. Just try again. In previous years, I couldn’t complete Dry January, but for some reason, I’ve been able to stay sober this time around.

“You get to start fresh every day, and you’re developing a muscle,” Johnston said. If you’re counting your drinks and measuring each five-ounce glass of wine, you’re still drinking mindfully.

This holiday season, I’m planning to see friends and family, even though alcohol will be at the table, too. I know I’ll probably feel the same way I did in Italy — as if I’m missing out on something — but I also know that the feeling will pass. By the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, I’ll get to write in my journal that I haven’t had a drink in nine months. And that feels like something worth celebrating, bubbly drink or not.

Betsy Vereckey’s’ debut memoir is forthcoming next fall from Rootstock Publishing. She lives in Vermont with her husband and four boisterous terriers.

Set in Victorian times, Poor Things was a departure from Ruffalo’s prior work in movies like Zodiac and Spotlight, and his Marvel role as the Incredible Hulk. Originally broadcast Feb. 13, 2024.