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When Justin Baldoni announced in 2019 that he would be adapting Colleen Hoover’s best-selling book It Ends With Us into a film, the excitement was palpable. The novel had become a cultural phenomenon, selling 20 million copies and gaining popularity on TikTok with over one billion tags. The casting of Blake Lively as the main character only heightened fans’ anticipation, with many believing she was the perfect choice to portray Lily Bloom, a young woman caught in a cycle of domestic abuse.
The film, released in August, was a box office success, grossing over $350 million globally. However, behind the scenes, rumors of a feud between Baldoni and Lively began to swirl. Lively filed a legal complaint against her co-star, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni vehemently denied these allegations.
During the press tour for It Ends With Us, Lively faced criticism for her comments and promotional activities, with some accusing her of not appropriately addressing the film’s themes of domestic abuse. Additionally, Baldoni’s absence from certain events and lack of public appearances with Lively raised questions about their relationship.
Despite the film’s financial success, it received mixed reviews from critics, with some accusing it of romanticizing domestic abuse. The controversy surrounding the film only escalated when Lively filed her legal complaint against Baldoni, alleging harassment and defamation.
Support for Lively poured in from Hollywood stars like America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, who publicly backed her after the legal filing. The situation between Lively and Baldoni continues to unfold, with both parties standing firm in their respective positions.