“It Ends With Us” is the first novel of a duology by popular romance author Colleen Hoover. This novel was adapted into a film in August 2024 after Justin Baldoni bought the rights to the book in 2019 through his co-founded production company Wayfarer Studios and became the director of the film, as noted by NBC News. The film starred Blake Lively as the female protagonist Lily Bloom, and Baldoni later joined in an acting capacity as Ryle Kincaid. Beyond his acting and directing role, Baldoni was also an executive producer, and Lively also held creative power as a producer on the film, according to IMDb.
Real life drama surrounding the film began when rumors about Lively and her behavior swarmed the internet around the time of the film's release in August 2024. Resurfaced videos and alleged harmful behavior seemed to turn the internet against Lively. Since December, there have been several developments among the cast members and their contrasting stories.
On Dec. 20, 2024, Blake Lively filed complaints about Justin Baldoni for alleged misconduct. According to E! News, Lively “filed a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint against Justin with the California Civil Rights Department.”
A New York Times article titled “We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Campaign” was published on Dec. 21, 2024, detailing the alleged smear campaign and misconduct that Baldoni and his team were taking against Lively. Court documents and messages were also included in the article.
Stephanie Jones, Baldoni’s former publicist, and the communications agency she owns sued Baldoni and his current communications team in New York on Dec. 24, 2024. According to the Los Angeles Times, this lawsuit includes allegations of Baldoni and his team attempting to breach contracts, steal clients, attack Jones and her agency, and blame Jones for the smear campaign Baldoni’s team was allegedly committing against Lively.
On Dec. 31, 2024, Baldoni and members of his team sued The New York Times over their smear campaign article that had come out a week prior. According to Variety, this lawsuit included allegations that The New York Times committed libel and invasion of privacy by publishing the article. Also on Dec. 31, 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and his team in New York. In this lawsuit, Lively sued for harassment, breach of contract, invasion of privacy, intentional emotional distress, aiding harassment, and not investigating harassment, according to CNN.
In an NBC News interview that aired on Jan 2, 2025, Baldoni’s lawyer told reporters that they intend to keep suing others involved in this situation, including Lively.
On Jan. 16, 2025, Baldoni sued Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Lively’s publicist for $400 million, according to People. This lawsuit included accusations of civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy while denying Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment and starting a smear campaign against her. According to US Magazine, Lively’s legal team has refuted the accusations and is challenging the lawsuit.
As of Jan. 17, 2025, Baldoni is leaving California for unknown reasons, but it is speculated that his departure is related to the complaints filed in California by Lively, according to E! News. Baldoni was spotted on Jan. 17 in Los Angeles International Airport with his family, according to videos by TMZ.
To catch up on this topic, read our previous article here.
By Kailey Wurr, A&E Editor
Graphic by Shae-Lynn Henderson, EIC