Actor Brandon Sklenar has come forward to publicly support his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, urging audiences to take her allegations against filmmaker and actor Justin Baldoni seriously. Lively’s 80-page complaint, filed last Friday, accuses Baldoni of creating a toxic and hostile work environment during the production of the romantic drama adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller.
The allegations outlined in the complaint are serious, including claims that Baldoni improvised intimate scenes without Lively’s consent, made inappropriate sexual remarks, and repeatedly entered her trailer uninvited, even while she was breastfeeding. Additionally, Lively alleges Baldoni showed her explicit images and videos and discussed his pornography addiction in detail. According to the filing, Baldoni, along with his production company Wayfarer Studios, retaliated against Lively by orchestrating a smear campaign to discredit her concerns. The campaign reportedly involved online attacks aimed at tarnishing her reputation.
Brandon Sklenar, who plays Lively’s on-screen love interest in the upcoming film, took to Instagram to share the complaint, tagging Lively and writing, “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS,” with a red heart emoji. His statement has drawn significant attention, with fans and Hollywood figures rallying behind Lively. Prominent personalities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Amy Schumer, and Lively’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars have expressed their support. Amber Heard, who has faced similar backlash in her legal battles, called the alleged smear campaign against Lively “horrifying and destructive.” SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, also condemned Baldoni’s alleged actions and voiced solidarity with Lively.
The fallout for Baldoni has been swift. Over the weekend, the talent agency WME dropped him as a client. Liz Plank, who co-hosted Baldoni’s Man Enough podcast, resigned in protest of the allegations. Additionally, a Voices of Solidarity Award recently presented to Baldoni for his advocacy for women was rescinded. These developments follow months of rumors about tensions between Baldoni and Lively, with reports of their strained relationship on set and their absence from joint promotional events.
Set to release on August 9, It Ends With Us addresses themes of domestic violence and resilience, making the allegations particularly troubling. Sklenar released a statement urging fans to focus on the film’s core message instead of targeting Lively with online criticism. “Vilifying the women who poured their heart into this film is counterproductive,” he said, emphasizing the importance of respecting the work Lively brought to the project.
The controversy has reignited discussions about workplace misconduct and accountability in Hollywood, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Baldoni’s alleged actions have underscored ongoing challenges within the entertainment industry to ensure safe and respectful working environments.
As the fallout continues, the future of the film’s promotion remains uncertain. While Lively has received widespread support, the allegations against Baldoni and their impact on the film’s release could shape the narrative surrounding It Ends With Us. For now, Hollywood waits to see how these events will influence broader industry reforms.
