Justin Baldoni emerges with clear message amid Blake Lively drama over ‘It Ends With Us’

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA: Amid swirling rumors of behind-the-scenes tension on the set of 'It Ends With Us,' Justin Baldoni, who both starred in and directed the film, was spotted in Santa Barbara, California, on Saturday, sending a clear message with his actions, as reported by The Daily Mail.

The 40-year-old filmmaker appeared unbothered by the ongoing drama as he enjoyed a relaxed day out with his wife, Emily Baldoni, and their two children.

Justin Baldoni prioritizes family time despite on-set tensions

During the outing, Baldoni and his wife were seen sharing affectionate moments, including a lingering kiss and a tender forehead smooch. Their public display of affection was perceived as a subtle response to the rumors of a feud between Baldoni and his co-star Blake Lively, who reportedly felt "fat-shamed" by the director during filming.

Despite the controversy, Baldoni’s focus was entirely on his family, as the couple strolled through Santa Barbara, seemingly unfazed by the ongoing drama.

As rumors of tension on the 'It Ends With Us' set continue to circulate, Baldoni’s carefree demeanor during his family outing suggested a desire to distance himself from the drama.

He was seen laughing and engaging in deep conversations with his wife and children.

The couple, who have been married since 2013, appeared more focused on enjoying their time together than on the speculations surrounding the film’s production.

Baldoni’s relaxed attitude comes amid reports that tensions between him and Lively have been ongoing since the start of production. Sources have claimed that the two stars were at odds over creative decisions, with the friction escalating as filming progressed.

Despite these challenges, 'It Ends With Us' has proven to be a box office success, crossing the $100 million mark globally within its first week of release.

Insiders have revealed that the set was divided into two camps—Team Blake and Team Justin—resulting in a creative struggle that reportedly stifled the filmmaking process.

Lively allegedly made several script and wardrobe changes without consulting Baldoni, adding to the tension.

Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, both Baldoni and Lively have remained tight-lipped about the rumored feud. However, Baldoni’s recent public appearance, marked by affectionate gestures and a laid-back attitude, maybe his way of signaling that his priorities lie with his family rather than the ongoing Hollywood gossip.

Justin Baldoni discusses creative 'friction' on 'It Ends With Us' set amid Blake Lively feud speculations

Justin Baldoni, star and director of the recent film 'It Ends With Us', has addressed the creative "friction" that emerged during the production of the movie, particularly in light of ongoing rumors about a feud with co-star Blake Lively. In a recent interview, Baldoni, 40, shared his perspective on the challenges and rewards of balancing his dual responsibilities as both an actor and a filmmaker.

Baldoni, who portrays the complex character of Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon entangled in a tumultuous relationship, spoke candidly about the pressures that come with such a demanding role. He explained that the inherent tensions on set are a natural part of the creative process and that this "friction" can ultimately lead to the creation of "beautiful art."

In an interview with ELLE UK, Baldoni reflected on the difficulties of managing dual roles, noting, “It’s very challenging to act and direct, and especially with a project like this. There was a lot of pressure playing such a complex role like Ryle and, of course, as a filmmaker, you're always navigating personalities.”

He continued, “There are all these things that happen every day on set, there's always friction that happens when you make a movie like this. Then at the end of the day, it's that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art.”

Baldoni emphasized that this friction, though challenging, was essential to his growth as both an artist and a person, saying, “Everything in life needs friction to grow. And look, we created something so beautiful and so magical, and it was hard, and it was worth it at the same time. And I grew so much as both a filmmaker, an actor, and as a person throughout this experience.”

Despite Baldoni’s positive spin on the creative process, reports have emerged suggesting that the friction on set may have been more than just artistic tension. A source close to Blake Lively recently made serious allegations against Baldoni, claiming that his behavior during filming was "chauvinistic" and "borderline abusive."