Brandon Sklenar stands by Blake Lively in 'It Ends With Us' legal battle against Justin Baldoni
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Blake Lively's 'It Ends With Us' co-star Brandon Sklenar has publicly defended her amid allegations of harassment against their co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
The controversy surrounding Justin Baldoni erupted after Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, the first step before a formal lawsuit.
Brandon Sklenar stands with Blake Lively amid lawsuit
On Monday, December 23, Brandon Sklenar posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram Story, tagging Blake Lively with a red heart emoji and urging followers to read the New York Times report on Lively's lawsuit in support of the actress.
His show of solidarity comes as reports surfaced about tensions among the cast and Baldoni’s alleged misconduct during the film’s production, as per USA Today.
Lively’s complaint includes accusations of Baldoni ignoring prior consent agreements and colluding to damage her reputation, according to the New York Times.
The claims have drawn widespread attention, sparking a public debate about the dynamics of the set of the film, which is based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel 'It Ends With Us'.
The story follows Lily Blossom Bloom, played by Lively, a flower shop owner who navigates love and trauma with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, portrayed by Baldoni, and childhood sweetheart Atlas Corrigan, played by Sklenar.
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However, behind-the-scenes discord reportedly overshadowed the project’s hopeful themes.
Inside 'It Ends With Us' cast tensions
Rumors of a rift between Justin Baldoni and the rest of the cast surfaced in August when fans noticed that he attended the film’s New York City premiere alone, accompanied only by his wife, Emily Baldoni.
Meanwhile, Sklenar was seen posing on the red carpet alongside Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Eagle-eyed fans also noted that several cast members, including Lively, Sklenar, and Jenny Slate, as well as author Hoover, unfollowed Baldoni on social media.
These actions fueled speculation about strained relationships among the team.
Brandon Sklenar’s earlier support for Blake Lively
This is not the first time Sklenar has defended Lively publicly. In August, he shared a statement on Instagram addressing the controversy.
“What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film,” he wrote, calling the online negativity “disheartening.”
Sklenar emphasized the importance of the film’s message, which centers on hope, perseverance, and self-empowerment for women.
“Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope and for women choosing a better life for themselves,” he said.
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He criticized the vilification of female cast members, stating that it detracted from the film’s core themes.
