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The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s poignant narrative, It Ends With Us, addresses the sensitive issue of domestic violence. The film has generated significant buzz, not only for its storyline but also for the turmoil between its stars, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Released in August 2025 in theaters and later available on Netflix, this film directed by Baldoni has become a focal point of controversy.
Lively, who plays the lead role of Lily Bloom, and Baldoni, who portrays her abusive partner Ryle, have displayed noticeable tension. This friction was evident during promotional events, where the two actors often avoided interaction, including a notably distant red carpet appearance at the film’s premiere in New York.
Unraveling events leading to allegations
As 2025 progressed, a series of incidents began to shed light on the growing discord. Lively’s planned hosting of SNL was abruptly canceled, coinciding with the lackluster launch of her beauty line, Blake Brown Beauty. A wave of lawsuits and accusations soon followed, revealing a deeper narrative of conflict between the actors and their respective teams.
December 20: Serious allegations surface
On December 20, 2025, the situation escalated dramatically when Lively accused Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of sexual harassment and orchestrating an astroturfing campaign aimed at damaging her public image. This revelation came months after the film’s premiere and shortly after its streaming debut.
Lively’s complaint to the California Civil Rights Department detailed multiple grievances, including a hostile work environment and a systematic effort to silence her regarding alleged misconduct on set. The extensive complaint included claims about inappropriate conduct from Baldoni and his associates, alongside a shocking revelation of private communications that suggested a calculated smear campaign against Lively.
The fallout begins
In the wake of these serious allegations, the consequences for Baldoni were swift. His agency, WME, dropped him as a client almost immediately after the news broke. His legal representation dismissed Lively’s claims as entirely false, but the fallout continued to expand.
Support for Lively and public outcry
In the days following the accusations, many within the entertainment industry rallied in support of Lively. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Amy Schumer publicly denounced the alleged campaign against her. Brandon Sklenar, Lively’s co-star in the film, also expressed concern and voiced support for her, emphasizing the film’s overarching message of empowerment.
As the drama unfolded, Sony, the studio behind It Ends With Us, condemned any attempts to tarnish Lively’s reputation and reaffirmed their support for her amidst the chaos. The public’s attention intensified as the situation developed, with many eagerly following the timeline of events.
The legal battle intensifies
On Christmas Eve 2025, Baldoni and his publicists found themselves facing a defamation lawsuit from Wayfarer Studios’ co-founder and former PR company, Jonesworks. The legal documents claimed that Baldoni’s team had conspired to damage reputations and breach contracts, further complicating the already tumultuous situation.
Counterclaims and further accusations
Just days later, Lively followed suit, filing her own lawsuit against Baldoni and his PR team for unspecified damages on December 31. Her complaint accused Baldoni and his associates of creating a hostile environment and launching a coordinated attack to silence her. This led Baldoni to retaliate by suing the New York Times for $250 million, alleging that the publication conspired with Lively to misrepresent the facts surrounding the case.
Lively, who plays the lead role of Lily Bloom, and Baldoni, who portrays her abusive partner Ryle, have displayed noticeable tension. This friction was evident during promotional events, where the two actors often avoided interaction, including a notably distant red carpet appearance at the film’s premiere in New York.0
Public reactions and ongoing developments
Lively, who plays the lead role of Lily Bloom, and Baldoni, who portrays her abusive partner Ryle, have displayed noticeable tension. This friction was evident during promotional events, where the two actors often avoided interaction, including a notably distant red carpet appearance at the film’s premiere in New York.1
Lively, who plays the lead role of Lily Bloom, and Baldoni, who portrays her abusive partner Ryle, have displayed noticeable tension. This friction was evident during promotional events, where the two actors often avoided interaction, including a notably distant red carpet appearance at the film’s premiere in New York.2