Abigail Breslin reveals retaliation for misconduct claims, calls out Hollywood’s double standards

Abigail Breslin has opened up about her experiences with workplace misconduct in an emotional essay posted on Tumblr on December 30, 2024. While not directly naming anyone, her essay appears to respond to the broader issues raised by Blake Lively’s recent legal complaint against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni. Breslin’s essay reflects on the pervasive challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry and the retaliation they often encounter for speaking out.

Breslin recounted her own struggles, including raising concerns about a male colleague’s behavior during the filming of Classified. She alleged that her complaints led to a breach of contract lawsuit by the film’s producers after she refused to perform scenes alone with co-star Aaron Eckhart, citing his “aggressive, demeaning, and unprofessional behavior.” Despite her attempts to address the issue confidentially through her union, Breslin said her fears were dismissed as “figments of her imagination” and her reputation in Hollywood was damaged.

“The audacity to speak up led to a lawsuit,” Breslin wrote, adding that she was labeled “hysterical and wild” during the ordeal. She reflected on the industry’s double standards, stating, “For men, it is always innocent until proven guilty. For women, it is the opposite. Prove your fear. Prove your discomfort. Prove your pain.”

Breslin also acknowledged the ongoing efforts to improve the industry, such as the #MeToo movement, but stressed the need for more accountability and empathy. She concluded her essay by calling on men to play a more active role in creating change. “To change the narrative, we do not need more women to scream. We just need a lot more men to shut up and listen,” she emphasized.