Abigail Breslin Speaks Out Against Toxic Masculinity, Supporting Blake Lively's Harassment Complaint

Abigail Breslin Speaks Out Against Toxic Masculinity, Supporting Blake Lively's Harassment Complaint


Abigail Breslin has added her voice to the conversation about toxic masculinity, expressing solidarity with Blake Lively after her recent sexual harassment complaint against Justin Baldoni. The 28-year-old Stillwater actress shared her thoughts in a Tumblr post, cross-posted to Instagram on December 28.

“When did the word ‘woman’ become synonymous with ‘scapegoat’?” Breslin began, addressing societal attitudes toward women who speak out. Reflecting on her own experiences, she revealed that toxic masculinity has been a recurring issue in her life and career.

In November 2023, Breslin faced legal scrutiny after accusing Classified co-star Aaron Eckhart of "aggressive and unprofessional behavior." While she did not directly name Eckhart or the project in her post, she detailed the backlash she faced for raising concerns about a male colleague. "I was told my fears were figments of my imagination," she wrote, emphasizing how such dismissive attitudes are commonplace.

Breslin expressed disappointment in the fading momentum of the #MeToo movement. "There seemed to be an uprising, a recognition for those who had been abused. But it was like a firework—bright and shocking, but it burned out," she wrote.

She also criticized the double standards faced by women who report misconduct. "Why are we so quick to defend a man accused of bad behavior, but if a woman speaks out, she’s immediately doubted?" she asked, highlighting the challenges women face in being believed and supported.

Breslin recounted her own struggles after filing a confidential complaint about a coworker, only to face a lawsuit in return. "I had the silly and naive impression they would believe me," she said. She described how her past experiences with abuse were used to discredit her, painting her as someone with ulterior motives rather than a professional standing up for herself.

Reflecting on societal attitudes, she wrote, “Most people believe the approval of a man is more significant than the burden of supporting a woman. For men, it’s innocent until proven guilty. For women, it’s the opposite.”

Breslin urged men to reconsider their biases and listen to women, instead of dismissing their experiences. "To change the narrative, we don’t need more women to scream. We just need a lot more men to shut up and listen," she concluded.