In the drama-filled world of Hollywood, few stories captivate and intrigue audiences the way that drama between two beloved stars does. A very recent story involving Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, two very popular actors known for their newest roles in the film “It Ends With Us,” has become the focus of a conflict that has left fans buzzing. As rumors swirl and tensions rise, let’s take a look at the entire timeline of this drama and the newest information that has been released.
The film “It Ends With Us” is based off of author Colleen Hoover’s most popular novel of the same name, which has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. The movie was released in August 2024 and was considered a huge success, grossing more than $350 million in box office sales. Though the film was very popular and successful, not everything was running smoothly behind the camera. In December, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for $100 million, accusing him of sexual harassment in the workplace and starting a smear campaign, a plan created by a legal team to ruin someone’s career, against her. Baldoni immediately denied these allegations and then sued Lively for $400 million in response.
Throughout the entirety of the film, Lively and Baldoni argued about what direction the movie should take. The story “It Ends With Us” is about a woman experiencing domestic abuse in her relationship. Lively wanted to emphasize the cuteness and flower shop aesthetic that the main female character, Lily Bloom, works at, while Baldoni wanted to emphasize the story of Bloom’s domestic abuse and bring awareness to the subject. Though Baldoni is the director of this film, Lively created an entirely different script that captures her vision for the movie. Lively’s script was ultimately used for the movie, but many fans became upset with her for pushing for changes to the movie when she is only an actor.
In Lively’s lawsuit, she made claims that Baldoni had body shamed her because he had asked the director how much she weighed. Baldoni swiftly denied this claim, stating that he was asking because of his chronic back pain and, in a scene where Baldoni is supposed to lift Lively, didn’t want to go over the weight that his doctor states he is allowed to lift. Another claim made by Lively states that he rushed into her dressing room without permission while she was changing. Again, Baldoni denies this and shows chat messages where Lively permits Baldoni to come in while she is breastfeeding to “go over some lines.” Lively also states that Baldoni and another producer showed her pornographic content on set that made her feel uncomfortable. Baldoni states that there was no inappropriate content shown on set and instead was a video of a fellow producer’s wife giving birth to try and assist Lively to better act out her childbirth scene.
After the movie’s release, there was tons of marketing, showing parties and afterparties to commemorate the achievements of the cast and producers. Because the entire movie was published by Baldoni and his company, Baldoni funded many of these events including an after-party concluding after the movie’s early screenings. After this screening, many of the viewers, cast, producers and directors were invited to come to an afterparty hosted by Baldoni. In Baldoni’s lawsuit, he gives messages that show Lively stating he isn’t allowed to attend the afterparty and if he does she won’t attend interviews or any marketing for the movie. This resulted in Baldoni having to create an entirely different afterparty that he invited people to, making Baldoni have to fund two parties, one of which he didn’t even attend.
While no official ruling has been made for either lawsuit, the effects of this legal battle can already be seen. Before Lively sued Baldoni, Baldoni was nominated for several awards and given many new acting opportunities due to his role in producing and acting in the movie. After the lawsuit was given, Baldoni was immediately stripped of his award nominations and acting roles, ruining his chances of obtaining a new role until the lawsuit has been resolved. Lively instead received much support from fans and viewers, up until recently. As more information has come out, many fans are switching sides and are suspicious of Lively’s actions. Though, either side hasn’t been able to fully sway viewers and there won’t be an official decision until a court date is made. All we can do now is wait.
