Hollywood thrives on spectacle, but the press tour for It Ends With Us took an unexpected turn, sparking discussions over the film’s representation of domestic violence and the noticeable lack of in-depth conversations on the issue. Instead of using promotional events to raise awareness for the sensitive topic central to the story, much of the media spotlight was directed at Blake Lively’s fashion choices, floral themes, and sponsorships.
Source: MEGA
As red carpets rolled out, it became evident that the film’s advocacy aspects were being eclipsed by a polished, fashion-centric marketing strategy. This change in emphasis led to increasing worries about whether the movie’s message was being watered down for broader appeal instead of illuminating the experiences of domestic abuse survivors. The lack of meaningful dialogue on the film’s fundamental themes left audiences pondering the purpose behind the project and whether it was genuinely a sincere effort to tackle a serious issue or merely another Hollywood romance packaged with controversy.
Inconsiderate Marketing Approach
Source: Sony Pictures
Despite instructing journalists at the London premiere to keep their inquiries “light-hearted and fun,” Lively highlighted beauty rather than fostering awareness about domestic violence on the red carpet. Reporters were specifically guided to avoid bringing up domestic violence, an odd limitation considering the subject matter of the film.
Source: AP
Lively’s remark at the New York premiere, “You are more than just a survivor or a victim,” provoked strong reactions. Ashley Paige, a domestic violence survivor, criticized the statement, arguing that trauma has fundamentally influenced her identity. Lively also faced backlash for marketing the film as a light-hearted romance, with some perceiving comments like “grab your friends, put on a floral dress, and go out and see it” as inconsiderate.
Baldoni’s Absence and Rumors of Disagreement
Source: Getty Images
Fans quickly observed that Lively and co-star Justin Baldoni were not captured together at the film’s New York premiere, nor did they engage in any joint interviews. Baldoni was missing from the London premiere, and Lively’s team allegedly cautioned reporters against mentioning him. Speculation intensified when internet detectives found that neither Lively nor book author Colleen Huber followed Baldoni on social media.
Source: Sony PIctures
Baldoni generally remained quiet on the issue, only vaguely referring to Lively as a “dynamic creative” in an interview with Today. Meanwhile, many pondered whether behind-the-scenes disagreements had impacted the promotional tour, given Lively’s focus on style and flowers.
Mixed reviews and a misleading trailer
Source: Sony Pictures
Baldoni swiftly refuted the allegations, calling them “categorically false” and asserting that Lively was attempting to manipulate the public narrative. His legal team claimed that Lively made excessive demands during the film’s production, including threatening to pull out of promotional activities unless her conditions were met.
Source: Getty Images
In response to the escalating controversy, Baldoni filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times on December 31, alleging that the newspaper’s reporting on Lively’s claims misrepresented facts and damaged his reputation. Additionally, he filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and civil extortion, accusing them of orchestrating a campaign to discredit him and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.
Source: Getty Images
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, dismissed Lively’s claims as “a calculated effort to sabotage his career.” He argued that Baldoni had consistently acted professionally and that Lively was engaging in a “vindictive smear campaign.” Lively’s legal team countered, calling Baldoni’s lawsuits “retaliatory” and describing them as “another chapter in the abuser playbook,” reinforcing their claims that he had engaged in workplace misconduct.
Source: Sony Pictures
Baldoni quickly responded, calling the allegations “categorically false.” His legal team claimed Lively had made numerous unreasonable demands, including threatening to withdraw from the film if her requests weren’t met. He then took further action, filing a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times over its reporting on the controversy, followed by a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds for defamation and civil extortion.
Source: Getty Images
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, accused Lively of fabricating accusations and attempting to destroy Baldoni’s reputation. In response, Lively’s legal team dismissed the lawsuit as “another chapter in the abuser playbook.”
Accusations against Baldoni
Source: Sony Pictures
A few months following the film’s release, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment, naming his production company, Wayfarer Studios, as defendants. The lawsuit alleges disruptive conduct on set, including inappropriate remarks, a lack of boundaries, and a general hostile work atmosphere. It also details a meeting in January where Lively, Baldoni, and other team members allegedly discussed these matters. Her husband, Ryan Reynolds, was also present at the meeting to provide support, according to the complaint.
Source: Getty Images
The complaint further accuses Baldoni and his team of orchestrating a “smear campaign” against Lively, including employing crisis management professionals to damage her reputation and enhance Baldoni’s. This so-called “digital army” is alleged to be responsible for targeted negative content aimed at harming Lively’s online image.
Baldoni’s legal rebuttal
Source: Getty Images
Baldoni responded promptly, deeming the allegations “completely false.” His attorneys claimed that Lively made several unreasonable demands, including threatening to withdraw from the film if her requests were not fulfilled. He then took additional action, filing a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, which reported on the incident, followed by a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds for defamation and civil extortion. Baldoni’s attorney, Brian Friedman, accused Lively of fabricating the accusations and attempting to undermine Baldoni. Lively’s legal team, in return, dismissed the lawsuit as “another chapter in an abuser’s playbook.”
Hollywood Responses
Source: Getty Images
As the legal battle intensifies, Blake Lively has received an outpouring of support from Hollywood. Her former Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel issued a joint statement on Instagram, strongly condemning what they described as a “vindictive attempt” to tarnish Lively’s reputation. They praised her for standing up against workplace misconduct and expressed their unwavering solidarity with her.
Source: Getty Images
Colleen Hoover, the best-selling author of It Ends With Us, also voiced her support for Lively, calling her “honest, kind, supportive, and patient.” Hoover emphasized that she believed Lively’s version of events and admired her for speaking out despite the backlash.
Source: Getty Images
The controversy has extended beyond Hollywood stars, with advocacy groups and women’s rights organizations also weighing in. Many have pointed out that Lively’s allegations reflect broader issues within the entertainment industry, reinforcing the need for stricter regulations and accountability for those in positions of power. This case continues to fuel conversations about the challenges women face in Hollywood when coming forward with allegations of misconduct, and the lengths to which reputations can be manipulated in the digital age.
Source: Getty Images
As the legal battle escalated, many in Hollywood publicly supported Lively. Her former Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel issued a joint statement on Instagram, condemning the alleged “vindictive effort” to discredit Lively. Colleen Hoover also expressed her support, calling Lively “honest, kind, supportive, and patient.”
Source: Getty Images
Vital Voices, a women’s empowerment nonprofit, rescinded an award they had recently given Baldoni after the allegations surfaced, citing his alleged conduct as “contrary to the values we hold.”
Charlize Theron vs. Tobey Maguire
Source: Movie Snapshot
Although speculation has emerged regarding friction between Theron and Maguire during The Cider House Rules, no public lawsuit has been initiated between them. Nevertheless, Theron has voiced her concerns about sexism in Hollywood and has shared past instances of harassment from other figures in the industry.
Ashley Judd vs. Harvey Weinstein
Source: Ashley Judd
Judd was among the initial actresses to bring a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, alleging sexual harassment. She claimed that he harmed her career after she spurned his advances. The lawsuit was part of the broader #MeToo movement and was resolved in 2022, although Judd did not obtain financial restitution.
Mira Sorvino vs. Harvey Weinstein
Source: Getty Images
Sorvino publicly claimed that she was ostracized from Hollywood after turning down Weinstein’s advances. Director Peter Jackson later corroborated that Weinstein instructed him not to cast Sorvino and Ashley Judd in The Lord of the Rings. Sorvino has been a vocal advocate against harassment in the industry.
Gabrielle Union vs. NBC and Simon Cowell
Source: Getty Images
Union lodged a discrimination complaint against NBC, asserting a hostile work environment on America’s Got Talent. She reported experiencing racist and sexist comments, in addition to being told that her hairstyles were “too Black.” The case was settled in 2020, and Union continues to fight for workplace equity.
Evan Rachel Wood vs. Marilyn Manson
Source: Getty Images
Wood publicly accused Manson of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. She testified before Congress about her experiences, resulting in multiple lawsuits. Manson filed a defamation claim against Wood, which was subsequently dismissed. Several other women have also filed allegations against Manson.
Source: Getty Images
Rose McGowan vs. Harvey Weinstein – McGowan accused Weinstein and his legal team of trying to silence her with intimidation methods. She asserted they enlisted former Israeli intelligence agents to prevent her from speaking out. Her lawsuit became a pivotal element of the #MeToo movement, although it was ultimately rejected in court.
Vital Voices, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting women’s rights, rescinded an award it had recently given to Baldoni after the allegations surfaced, stating his purported actions were “antithetical to the values we uphold.”
A Controversy That Shook Hollywood
Source: Getty Images
The It Ends With Us controversy has evolved from a film promotion mishap into a major legal battle that has captivated the industry. The fallout from these allegations has reshaped the public perception of both Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, casting a shadow over the film itself.
Source: Getty Images
This case also serves as a reminder of Hollywood’s long history of workplace misconduct and the ongoing struggle for accountability in the industry. With lawsuits and counterclaims still unfolding, the final outcome remains uncertain. Will the truth come out through the courts, or will it be lost in the court of public opinion?
Source: Getty Images
Regardless of where one stands, the situation has reignited discussions about power dynamics in entertainment, the responsibility of filmmakers in handling sensitive topics, and the impact of media narratives on real-life justice. The repercussions of this controversy will likely be felt for years to come, influencing how the industry handles similar cases in the future.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings