Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni: Legal Battle and Allegations Amid Success of It Ends With Us
Hollywood: The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel It Ends With Us captivated audiences, grossing over $350 million globally since its August release. However, the film’s success has been overshadowed by controversy and a legal dispute involving its lead actors, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
Rumors of discord between Lively and Baldoni surfaced during the film’s press tour, with noticeable absences of joint appearances. At the New York premiere, the duo avoided red carpet photos together, and promotional interviews were conducted separately.
Speculation intensified when fans noticed that key cast members, including Lively and author Colleen Hoover, were not following Baldoni on social media. This disconnect came despite Baldoni publicly praising Lively as a “dynamic creative” in interviews.
The press tour itself faced backlash for being “tone-deaf,” with critics accusing it of trivializing the film’s themes of domestic abuse. Lively’s comments urging audiences to “grab your friends, wear your florals, and head out to see it” sparked outrage, with survivors of domestic abuse describing the tone as dismissive.
Legal Allegations Emerge
In a shocking development four months after the film’s release, Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, the production company behind the film. The complaint accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
The filing alleged that Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath engaged in inappropriate behavior, including discussing their “pornography addiction” and making explicit remarks on set. Lively claimed she had to demand an intimacy coordinator and other safeguards during filming.
Lively also accused Baldoni’s team of orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation, alleging the use of a “digital army” to spread negative content about her online while promoting Baldoni’s credibility.
Baldoni Denies Allegations
Baldoni’s legal team has categorically denied the allegations, calling them “false and defamatory.” Attorney Bryan Freedman claimed that Lively made demands and threatened to derail the film’s production and release if her conditions were not met.
“It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives,” Freedman said.
Mixed Reviews for the Film
Despite its financial success, It Ends With Us received mixed reviews from critics, with some accusing the film of romanticizing domestic abuse. The Telegraph’s Tim Robey described it as a “queasy drama” that packaged abuse as “slick romance.”
Social media also became a battleground, with debates sparked over the film’s portrayal of sensitive themes. Some viewers criticized the marketing for failing to clearly indicate the story’s focus on domestic abuse, leading to traumatic experiences for unprepared audiences.
Support for Blake Lively
Hollywood stars, including Lively’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, issued a joint statement supporting her.
“We stand with her in solidarity,” they wrote. “We are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.”
Author Colleen Hoover also voiced her support, describing Lively as “honest, kind, supportive, and patient.”
A Divisive Legacy
While It Ends With Us achieved commercial success, its legacy remains divisive. The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni has overshadowed its achievements, raising critical questions about workplace safety and accountability in Hollywood.
As the dispute unfolds, the industry watches closely, awaiting further developments in what has become one of the most talked-about controversies of the year.