Blake Lively reportedly "felt very vulnerable and upset" following the backlash and controversies around her latest movie, It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel. To add to the tensions, her alleged rift with co-star/director Justin Baldoni, coupled with the way the promotions were handled intensified the public outcry.
According to sources, People reported that the actress was "pretty surprised at the backlash and drama."
"During the promotion of the movie, not one day went by when she was not in the news in an unfavorable light. She's just not used to this kind of drama."
The source also added that the whole shindig "felt out of control to her." Regardless, the source disclosed that the actress remains committed to her career. She is slated to appear in the sequel to A Simple Favor, alongside Anna Kendrick, and " enjoys working and will continue to push forward projects that she's excited about."
During a BBC interview that came out in August 2024, Blake Lively directly addressed the backlash. She claimed that her character Lily Bloom was "not just a survivor, and she’s not just a victim, and while those are huge things to be, they are not her identity.”
"[Lily] is not defined by something someone else did to her or an event that happened to her, even if it’s multiple events. She defines herself, and I think that’s deeply empowering. … No one else can define you. No experience can define you. You define you."
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's bad blood explained
Speculations started swirling online when Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni were noticeably distant during the film's premiere. The two were seated in different theatres and were not seen interacting as much. As per several sources, Blake Lively came out with allegations against her co-star, accusing him of fat-shaming and lingering with a kiss for a bit too long.
TMZ reported that Bladoni has a bad back, and to prepare for a scene where he had to carry her, he inquired about her weight. He asked his trainer on-set for some details so that he could mitigate the possibility of an injury. However, Blake reportedly felt "bothered" by it. The Green Lantern actress had given birth to her fourth child in February 2023.
Furthermore, another scene that saw the two of them kissing, also saw Baldoni linger "longer than he should have with the kiss," as per Lively's allegations. Page Six reported in August 2024 that there's "probably no world where these two will work together again." One source also claimed that Baldoni reportedly made the working environment "extremely difficult" for everyone.
“It’s not just Blake, none of the cast enjoyed working with Justin …They certainly didn’t talk to him at the premiere.”
However, TMZ also reported that Justin may not be such a bad guy, as per sources close to the Jane the Virgin actor. Some theorize that this may all just be a marketing gimmick instead.
Justin Baldoni suggests he won't return for a sequel
Baldoni, who embodied Ryle Kincaid, has shared his reservations for a sequel to It Ends With Us. While he does own the film's rights (which he bought in 2019), he told Entertainment Tonight in August 2024 that Blake Lively should take over instead.
"I think that there are better people for that one … I think Blake Lively’s ready to direct, that’s what I think. She’s a creative force, she’s an executive producer on the film, and she is so brilliant."
He also added that she would do a better job at making "so many women feel seen and showcase this unique experience in a way" that he feels he wouldn't be able to.
Baldoni's character, Ryle Kincaid, plays a much smaller role in the following book. This means that he won't necessarily have to reprise his role in the sequel, should there be one. So far, nothing has been confirmed.
It Ends with Us grossed $309.3 million, making it a box-office hit and one of Blake Lively's highest-grossing films of all time. The movie hit the big screens in August 2024 and has since received mixed reviews from critics.
