Justin Baldoni apologizes to Blake Lively in ‘It Ends With Us’
The ongoing legal drama between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken yet another unexpected turn. This time, a leaked voice memo—allegedly from Baldoni—has surfaced, revealing an emotional apology to Lively during the film’s production.
The nearly seven-minute audio, first released by TMZ, features Baldoni, who also directed the film, addressing script changes Lively had suggested. In the recording, Baldoni appears regretful, acknowledging he “fell short” and expressing appreciation for Lively’s willingness to share her feelings.
A Late-Night Apology
“Hey Blake, it’s two in the morning. Hopefully, this doesn’t wake you up. There’s so much I want to say to you,” Baldoni begins.
He goes on to apologize, admitting he made a mistake. “Man, reading the second part of your message, my heart sank. I’m really sorry. I definitely fell short, and you worked really hard on that.” He continues, “I f–ked up. That is a fail on my part.”
Baldoni also reflects on his imperfections, mentioning that even his wife would attest to his flaws. However, he assures Lively that he always owns up to his mistakes and strives to make amends.
While the authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified, it sheds light on the tensions that arose behind the scenes. Representatives for both actors have yet to comment.
Script Changes & Celebrity Influence
One of the key points in the memo revolves around a meeting about the film’s rooftop scene—a scene Lively had rewritten with input from her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and close friend, Taylor Swift. Baldoni appears to acknowledge their involvement, exclaiming, “Damn right, you’ve got great friends. F–k, we should all have friends like that. Aside from the fact that they’re two of the most creative people on the planet.”
Despite the praise, Baldoni later alleged in legal filings that he felt pressured by Lively and her “megacelebrity friend” to accept the changes.
From On-Set Tension to Courtroom Drama
What began as creative disagreements has now escalated into a full-blown legal battle. In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation. In response, Baldoni fired back in January, suing Lively and Reynolds for defamation and extortion, seeking a staggering $400 million in damages.
To counter Lively’s claims, Baldoni’s legal team released a 10-minute video showing a scene from the film, in which the actors dance together. However, Lively’s lawyers argue that the footage actually supports her allegations.
“The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, touching her inappropriately, and making comments out of character. Every moment was improvised without consent or an intimacy coordinator present,” Lively’s legal team stated.
Legal Battle Heats Up
As the feud escalates, both parties continue to take legal action. Lively’s team accuses Baldoni of using media leaks to sway public opinion, while Baldoni’s lawyers claim Lively is attempting to ruin his reputation.
A federal judge has now scheduled a trial date for March 9, 2026, while also cautioning both sides against using pretrial publicity to manipulate the case.
Meanwhile, Lively has filed a separate request to depose a man she believes was instrumental in shaping online narratives against her during the film’s promotional run.
A Hollywood Feud with Real-World Impact
It Ends With Us was a box office success upon its August 2024 release, pulling in $50 million in its debut. While the film itself explored themes of love and domestic violence, the off-screen drama between its stars has sparked broader conversations about the treatment of female actors and power dynamics in Hollywood.
With the legal battle far from over, all eyes remain on Lively and Baldoni as their bitter dispute continues to unfold.
