Jameela Jamil is facing a storm of backlash after leaked private messages appeared to show the actress and activist using deeply controversial language to describe Blake Lively during a sensitive period involving alleged harassment tied to the film It Ends With Us. The messages have ignited accusations of hypocrisy, with critics calling out what they see as a sharp contrast between Jamil’s public feminist persona and her private remarks.
Screenshots circulating on X allegedly show Jamil exchanging iMessages with a member of Justin Baldoni’s PR team at a time when Lively was facing intense online scrutiny. The messages are reportedly included in a legal filing dated August 13, 2024, and appear to capture Jamil reacting harshly to clips of Lively speaking publicly.
The most explosive detail is Jamil’s alleged use of the phrase “suicide bomber” to describe Lively, language many critics say frames the actress as intentionally self-destructive while she was attempting to defend herself. In the exchange, Jamil appears to agree with disparaging characterizations of Lively and suggests the actress was responsible for her own public fallout.
According to the screenshots, the phrase was used in response to comments claiming Lively was “doing this to herself.” Jamil allegedly followed up by calling Lively a “villain” and remarking that she had “never seen such a bizarre villain act before.” The tone and wording of the messages quickly drew outrage online, particularly given Jamil’s long-standing criticism of misogyny, victim-blaming, and online harassment.
Much of the anger centers on the context. The messages appear to reference Lively sharing resources for abuse survivors while navigating alleged harassment issues related to Baldoni. Many users argue that mocking or dismissing such actions undermines survivors and minimizes the seriousness of speaking out. For fans who viewed Jamil as a vocal supporter of women facing abuse, the leaked comments felt like a betrayal.
Some defenders have urged caution, noting that the messages are dated to a time before any sexual harassment lawsuit had been publicly filed. At that point, there were no court documents or confirmed reports detailing Lively’s claims, and much of the situation was still unfolding privately. Even so, critics argue that the language used remains indefensible regardless of timing.
The controversy has also revived past debates around Jamil’s feminist credibility. Over the years, she has been criticized for statements some felt contradicted her advocacy, including comments about female journalists and her approach to discussing beauty standards in Hollywood. While she has framed those remarks as critiques of systemic issues, detractors say they often come across as targeting individual women.
Jamil has previously hosted Baldoni on her podcast, though there is no public evidence suggesting a close personal relationship. Still, her apparent alignment with his PR team in the leaked messages has left many questioning her motivations and consistency.
As of now, Jamil has not publicly addressed the leaked screenshots. But the fallout continues to grow, with critics labeling her a “fake feminist” and demanding accountability for language they say crosses a serious line—especially when directed at another woman during a moment of vulnerability.
