Explaining the It Ends with Us Controversy: Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni

Explaining the It Ends with Us Controversy: Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni

Released in August 2024, “It Ends with Us”has attracted considerable attention, not just for its emotional storyline derived from Colleen Hoover’s widely read novel, but also due to ongoing rumors of behind-the-scenes conflict involving lead actors Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and director Justin Baldoni.

This romantic tragedy quickly became one of the summer’s standout films, following its surge in popularity on TikTok in 2021. However, audiences may be unaware that the drama extends well beyond the screen. Following the film’s announcement, fans expressed concern over the aging of the cast, and that was just the beginning.

Reports indicate that shortly after the film’s release, Lively and her fellow cast members unfollowed Baldoni on Instagram. Throughout the promotional tour, cast members seemed reluctant to discuss their experiences working with him. Notably, Lively is now suing Baldoni, adding layers to a troubling picture of events that unfolded during production.

Initial Rumors Surrounding the Cast Drama

@clairenotdanes

#greenscreen like what in the world is going on?? #blakelively #itendswithus #colleenhoover #booktok #justinbaldoni #film #entertainment #coho #blake #lively #ryanreynolds

♬ original sound – claire 🎙️🎥🍿

Viral TikTok clips, such as one from user @clairenotdanes, pointed out peculiarities during the movie’s press tours. Notably, she observed that no principal cast members followed Baldoni online, while he maintained his connections with them. Additionally, social media activity noted a lack of photographs featuring Baldoni with Lively or other cast members during the premiere event.

This disconnection extended to social media posts by Baldoni’s long-time friends, who predominantly highlighted Lively’s presence, sparking speculation that perhaps she and Reynolds aimed to divert attention from Baldoni should tensions arise. Coincidentally, Lively’s outfit choice—an homage to a dress worn by Britney Spears in 2002—also stirred discussion, with many believing it might serve as a diversion tactic during the film’s promotion.

The plot thickened when actress Jenny Slate, who plays Allyssa in the film, seemed to dodge questions about Baldoni during a red carpet interview, giving rise to further intrigue among fans on social media platforms.

Fans took to Reddit to share their own theories, with one claiming to know an editor who asserted that Lively and Baldoni had a significant falling out, a sentiment echoed by others who noted that such social media unfollowing is a rare occurrence in the industry.

According to a report from Page Six, industry insiders echoed the sentiment that none of the cast were pleased with their experience under Baldoni’s direction and did not interact with him at the film’s premiere. Allegedly, Baldoni set a challenging on-set atmosphere and made Lively feel uncomfortable about her postpartum body.

This discord was further validated by a source who informed People magazine that both the cast and Hoover opted for distance from Baldoni. Interestingly, although some, like Brandon Sklenar, praised the director, overall sentiments of discontent prevailed within the cast.

Ryan Reynolds’ Suspected Role

At the film’s premiere, Blake Lively disclosed that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, had contributed to the script, specifically a key scene that sparked speculation about possible tensions resulting from his involvement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9IF7hLXDL4

Lively told E! News that Reynolds’s input extended to an iconic rooftop scene, stating, “Nobody knows that but you know. We help each other. He works on everything I do; I work on everything he does.”

In the same vein, rumors began to surface that Lively and Reynolds possibly financed a portion of the film, potentially in hopes of positioning Lively for award recognition.

While screenwriter Christy Hall acknowledged certain improvisations that may have stemmed from Reynolds’s creativity, her response revealed a nuanced conflict. She remarked that there were instances she believed were improvised while asserting the core scenes remained true to her vision.

Fans expressed mixed feelings regarding Reynolds’s contributions, with some interpreting Lively’s acknowledgment of his scene as sidelining the official screenwriter’s hard work.

Entertainment Tonight further fueled the speculations when it confirmed that Baldoni was unfamiliar with Reynolds’s involvement until Lively mentioned it during a red carpet interview.

As if the plot couldn’t thicken further, Reynolds’s playful takeover of the “It Ends with Us”press event raised eyebrows, as he pressed co-star Sklenar on details of his chemistry with Lively during the film.

Baldoni Engages PR Management Due to Rising Tensions

In response to the growing narrative of conflict, Justin Baldoni engaged public relations crisis manager Melissa Nathan, renowned for her work managing high-profile cases, including Johnny Depp’s legal battles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-HhWm5K3U

As per reports, this decision was made amidst speculation about a divergent cut of “It Ends with Us”that Lively purportedly commissioned, which contrasted with Baldoni’s final edit. Nevertheless, the version credited to editors Oona Flaherty and Robb Sullivan ultimately prevailed.

In terms of on-set dynamics, sources indicated that Baldoni, conscious of the film’s delicate themes around domestic violence, reportedly took a more collaborative approach with the female cast and crew.

Despite the chaos, Baldoni expressed admiration for Lively’s contributions, stating in interviews that her performance would resonate deeply with women and authentically convey crucial narratives regarding women’s experiences.

Analyzing the Backlash Against Blake Lively

After the initial wave of rumors, Blake Lively faced significant backlash, reportedly fearing that her career might suffer irreversible damage due to the fallout.

@mirrorshowbiz

Blake Lively ‘fears her career could be over with It Ends With Us’ after backstage drama backlash. #dailymirror #itendswithus #blakelively #justinbaldoni #colleenhoover #itendswithusdrama

♬ my tears ricochet – Taylor Swift

Reports from reputable sources indicated that Lively found herself retreating from the public eye to “reassess her future” following the backlash from both the production experience and controversial historical interviews that resurfaced.

In a resurfaced interview regarding “Café Society,”journalist Kjersti Flaa recounted feeling uncomfortable during an interaction with Lively, provoking discussions about celebrity interview dynamics.

Furthermore, Lively faced disapproval for promotional tactics tied to “It Ends with Us,” which fans deemed inappropriate or out of touch, such as her alcohol brand leading the film’s campaign.

@bee.better.company

A deep dive into the downfall of Blake Lively, and how her detachment from reality has contributed to her being exposed as an out of touch celebrity as she wraps up this train wreck of a press tour. #blakelively #gossipgirl #ryanreynolds #itendswithus #itendswithusbook #colleenhoover #booktok #downfall #drama #deepdive #longvideo #videoessay #marketing101 #beebetter

♬ original sound – Bee better

One major point of contention involved Lively sponsoring the film’s premiere with cocktails named after the film’s abusive character, stirring outrage among viewers.

Sequel Prospects Ice-Capped by Tensions

Amidst the chaos, plans for a sequel are now in jeopardy, predominantly due to the reported rift between Baldoni and Lively.

According to Variety, Baldoni holds the rights not only to the film’s original story but also to Hoover’s sequel, “It Starts with Us,”which follows the relationship of Lively’s character and her childhood sweetheart, portrayed by Sklenar. Box office figures show that “It Ends with Us”was highly successful, yet the chaotic backdrop leaves future projects uncertain.

In our own assessment, “It Ends with Us”garnered a mixed reception, serving mainly as a showcase for Lively’s star persona rather than delivering a nuanced portrayal of its heavy themes.

Legal Battle Emerges: Lively’s Lawsuit Against Baldoni

In December 2024, Lively formally initiated legal proceedings against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation, resulting in his dismissal from his agency, WME.

Lively, who retains her connections to WME, filed the suit against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. The lawsuit alleges repeated efforts by Lively to address inappropriate conduct during filming, culminating in a meeting on January 4 that included both parties and their representatives, notably Reynolds.

As stated in the complaint, “after the list below was reviewed and discussed in its entirety, all parties present agreed that the outlined conduct would cease.” This stipulation included a total of 30 specific items designed to protect Lively and any female employees from further unprofessional behavior.

  • No more showing nude videos or images of women, including producer’s wife, to BL and/or her employees;
  • No more mention of Mr. Baldoni’s or Mr. Heath’s previous “pornography addiction”or BL’s lack of pornography consumption to BL or to other crew members;
  • No more discussions to BL and/or her employees about personal experiences with sex, including as it relates to spouses and/or others;
  • No more mention to BL or her employees of personal times that physical consent was not given in sexual acts, as either the abuser or the abused;
  • No more description of their own genitalia to BL;
  • No more jokes or disparaging comments to be made to BL, and/or her employees about HR complaints Wayfarer has already received on set, or about “missing the HR meeting”:
  • No more inquiries by Mr. Baldoni to BL’s trainer without her knowledge or consent to disclose her weight;
  • No more mention by Mr. Baldoni of him “speaking to”BL’s dead father;
  • No more personal, physical touching of, or sexual comments by Mr. Baldoni or Mr. Heath to be tolerated by BL and/or any of her employees, as well as any female cast or crew without their express consent;
  • No more improvising of kissing. All intimate touch must be choreographed in advance with BL and an intimacy coordinator. No biting or sucking of lip without BL’s consent. All on intimate on-camera touch and conversations must be “in character,”not spoken from Mr. Baldoni to BL personally;
  • No more adding of sex scenes, oral sex, or on-camera climaxing by BL outside the scope of the script BL approved when signing onto the project.
A sample of complaint made by Blake Lively

The complaint also detailed incidents where Lively felt unsafe, including alleged comments concerning her attire and awkward encounters during filming sequences. Moreover, it suggested a conspiracy against her involving Baldoni’s camp, pointing to messages that suggested a planned negative narrative. Such revelations further complicated the toxic atmosphere surrounding the project’s rollout.

Samples of messages logged by the official complaint made by Lively

Samples of messages logged by the official complaint made by Lively

Kjersti Flaa, the journalist known for her unflattering interview with Lively, publicly distanced herself from any involvement in the alleged smear campaign, emphasizing her dismay over the situation.

In a statement addressing the lawsuit, Lively articulated her hope that her actions would expose what she termed “sinister retaliatory tactics” and pave the way for a more supportive environment for individuals confronting misconduct.

Baldoni’s legal representative responded robustly, declaring the allegations as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious,”asserting they were designed to harm Baldoni’s reputation in the public eye.

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