Credited from: FORBES
Key Points:
In a growing feud that has captured Hollywood's attention, actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are set to face off in a trial set for March 9, 2026, over a series of serious allegations stemming from their collaboration on the film It Ends With Us. The conflict gained public scrutiny after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and claimed there was a calculated effort to damage her reputation following the film's release.
The proceedings escalated in late December when both actors filed lawsuits, with Baldoni suing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and civil extortion.
Recent developments have seen Baldoni apologizing to Lively via a nearly seven-minute voice message, where he described himself as a "very flawed man" following a difficult group discussion regarding their work together. “I’m really sorry,” he said, expressing regret over miscommunication regarding scene changes, which had stirred tensions during production. His public admission was seen as a notable effort to mend fences amid rising estrangement due to the allegations. This message, however, coincides with Baldoni facing significant professional challenges as a result of the legal discord, including reports that he has "lost three jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars" due to the fallout from this incident, particularly affecting related projects such as his upcoming Pac-Man film.
Adding to the drama, Lively's brother-in-law, Bart Johnson, publicly apologized for unkind remarks made on social media, expressing regret for previously derogatory comments about Baldoni. Johnson's post, while not directly naming him, reflected his earlier criticisms, including referring to Baldoni as a "fraud" in a since-deleted message.
The legal battles and public statements have drawn significant media attention, with observers eagerly anticipating how the courts will resolve the conflicts surrounding this high-profile feud in Hollywood. As both actors prepare for a lengthy trial, the entertainment industry remains abuzz with discussions on the implications of their allegations and the broader impact on their careers.
For continuous updates and in-depth coverage of this unfolding story, refer to Forbes and HuffPost.