Hollywood has been abuzz in recent weeks concerning the latest drama involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The two stars, known for their impressive acting careers and leading performances in the box office success It Ends With Us, are now at the center of a media storm, with rumors and speculation flying around their professional and personal lives.

The two stars collaborated closely together over the project of It Ends With Us, a 2024 movie adaption of the book by Colleen Hoover. While the film was met with mixed reviews from critics, it objectively did well, grossing more than $351 million worldwide against a $25 million budget. While little was known about the relationship regarding Lively and Baldoni on set during filming, after the release of the film, it became clear very quickly that the pair had harbored some tension.

It all began when reports surfaced that Lively had allegedly turned down a major film project due to creative differences with Baldoni, who was set to direct. Sources close to the production revealed that Lively was unhappy with the direction the film was taking and felt that her vision for her character was not being respected. This decision reportedly led to a heated exchange between the two, with both sides standing firm on their creative stances.

Further fueling the drama, social media posts and comments from industry insiders have hinted at underlying tensions between Lively and Baldoni. Some have suggested that the two have clashed in the past over similar issues, adding more weight to the current controversy. Fans of both stars have taken to platforms like Twitter and Instagram to express their opinions, with some supporting Lively's decision to prioritize her artistic integrity, while others argue that Baldoni's directorial approach should be respected.

While promoting It Ends With Us, fans of the story attacked Lively for missing the opportunity to speak on the issue of domestic violence, a central theme of the story, while simultaneously praising Baldoni for respecting the story. Lively claimed that Baldoni organized this campaign against her because it made him look better. 

The drama escalated when reports emerged that Lively had filed a formal complaint against the film's production team, explaining the unprofessional behavior on set. She said it was a hostile working environment, and her creative input was consistently dismissed. She had filed a complaint to the California Civil Rights Department and followed it up a week later with a lawsuit in New York federal court, making allegations against Baldoni, including that of sexual harassment. She claimed Baldoni improvised unwanted and additional kissing scenes that she did not agree to prior. She also claimed he spoke frequently of other sexual encounters, and even walked into her dressing room unannounced while she was breastfeeding her child. Among other things, Lively claimed to feel uncomfortable in this working environment alongside Baldoni. 

Baldoni was quick with action, as he filed a lawsuit against the New York Times seeking $250 million in damages and accusing them of uncritically accepting a “self serving narrative.” In his defense his team posted screenshots of texts from Lively “I’m just pumping in my trailer if you wanna work on our lines.” This calls into question Credibility of Lively's claims prior explaining how Baldoni had walked into her dressing room unannounced. Baldoni is among a group of 10 plaintiffs who are suing The Times for libel and slander. 

As more information emerges, fans are unsure who to side with. It will be interesting to see how this drama plays out and what impact it will have on both stars and the film industry itself.