Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: How a podcast predicted feud between stars months before lawsuit
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Popular Australian podcast 'Shameless', hosted by Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews, foreshadowed director and actor Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s feud months before Lively filed a harassment lawsuit against him.
Back in August, the hosts analyzed the dynamics surrounding the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel 'It Ends With Us'.
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Highlights of Aussie podcast's predictions about Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni feud
The Australian podcasters highlighted signs of conflict on set, including cast members and the author distancing themselves from Justin Baldoni.
The podcast pointed out several red flags, including multiple release date changes for the movie, which suggested underlying production issues.
They also noted that at the New York premiere, none of the cast posed for photos with Baldoni, further hinting at strained relationships.
“We have the entire cast and the author of the material refusing to be associated with him,” one of the hosts stated.
Blake Lively’s lawsuit alleges shocking misconduct
The podcast’s speculations took on new gravity with the revelation of Blake Lively's lawsuit.
Filed four months later, the lawsuit accuses Baldoni of multiple instances of inappropriate behavior.
The lawsuit adds that Baldoni’s alleged behavior extended to the broader cast and crew, contributing to a toxic work environment during the production of their movie 'It Ends With Us'.
The 'Gossip Girl' actress claimed that an all-hands-on-deck meeting was held after the situation became hostile, according to TMZ.
Lively's husband and actor, Ryan Reynolds, reportedly attended the meeting along with others to address their concerns.
Creative and social rift among 'It Ends With Us' cast members
Tensions on set extended beyond alleged harassment. Rumors of creative differences between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni circulated throughout production, reported Daily Mail.
Reports also noted that Lively unfollowed Baldoni on social media, a move mirrored by other cast members and even Colleen Hoover.
These actions underscored the growing divide.
Baldoni's legal team has denied all allegations, framing the lawsuit as an attempt by Lively to salvage her reputation following what they described as lackluster press for the movie.
'It Ends With Us': A blockbuster overshadowed by controversy
'It Ends With Us' was intended to be a poignant adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, inspired by her mother’s experiences with domestic violence.
The film, starring Lively as Lily Bloom and Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid, was meant to explore themes of trauma and resilience.
However, the production’s turmoil and the subsequent lawsuit have overshadowed the movie’s message.
“We have the entire cast and the [book’s] author of the material refusing to be associated with him,” one host of the 'Shameless' podcast remarked.
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Lively’s legal team also alleges that Baldoni orchestrated an online campaign to damage her reputation during their feud.
