Alert – It Ends With Us cast drama explained amid Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni ‘feud’

It Ends With Us has become one of the most talked about movies of the year – for all the wrong reasons. 

The romantic drama, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, follows Lily Bloom (played by Blake Lively), who becomes embroiled in an abusive relationship with a man named Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni). 

It’s been plagued by rumors of on-set tensions, a feud between Blake and Justin, and a frosty press tour. 

Fans have been split by the scandal, with some taking Blake’s side, while others have branded her ‘tone deaf’ and a ‘diva’.

Despite the controversy, the motion picture has been a big hit so far, grossing over $93million at the box office – and counting.

DailyMail.com looks at the many scandals plaguing the troubled film.  

Blake Lively’s new romantic drama film It Ends With Us has become one of the most talked about movies of the year – for all the wrong reasons

Awkward press tour 

Fans suspected that Blake, 36, had beef with Justin, 40, after sensing some tension between the stars at the New York City premiere earlier this month. 

Blake and Justin didn’t pose for any pictures together at the event, despite playing the two main characters and love interests in the flick.

She happily took photos with her other costars like Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar, but not Justin. 

Two days later, Blake attended a photo call in London for the film with some of the other stars – but Justin was mysteriously absent.

In addition, the two haven’t done any press together in the weeks leading up to the film’s release.

Instead, Blake sat down for an interview with her costar, Brandon, last month; she and Brandon also participated in a promotional video with It Ends With Us stars Alex Neustaedter and Isabela Ferrer, but Justin had no part in it.

Eagle-eyed social media users also noticed that both Blake and author Colleen unfollowed Justin on Instagram recently.

Fans suspected that Blake, 36, had beef with Justin, 40, after sensing some tension between the stars at the New York City premiere earlier this month

Co-stars clash on set 

Insiders revealed the concerning truth about the on-set tensions, telling DailyMail.com that Blake and Justin clashed over his ‘dismissive’ attitude to her ‘input’ while they were filming scenes that involved abuse.

The insider claimed that Justin only focused on ‘what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint’ and had a very ‘chauvinistic’ approach to the topic.

‘During scenes depicting abuse, Justin failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, instead focusing solely on what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint,’ they said.

‘His approach was very chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set.’

The source claimed Justin was ‘borderline abusive’ on set, and said he ‘almost became the character.’

‘Justin almost became the character in the sense that some women on set felt he was borderline abusive to them and that he was unprofessional and unapologetic,’ they said. 

‘Directing a film so serious and so important about domestic abuse without allowing the women to be included in this process is disturbing.’

The insider alleged that the actor, who also served as director and producer, ‘failed to recognize’ both Blake and Colleen’s roles as a fellow producer and writer.

And they said he took it ‘very personally’ when the pair asked for some script rewrites. 

‘Without Colleen’s book, none of this would have been possible,’ they pointed out.

‘Parts of the film were rewritten under the instruction of Colleen – they had to be. He took their script decisions very personally, even though they weren’t intended that way.’

They said things only got worse once he began to feel ‘ganged up on’ by the women on set.

‘His behavior extended beyond the main players,’ the source continued. ‘Once he felt ganged up on, he became even less empathetic.

‘Now, he’s speaking praises, likely out of fear that they’ll call him out. He knows it’s coming and might try to blame his actions on being a method actor.’

Allegations of fat-shaming

Blake allegedly felt ‘fat-shamed’ by Justin on the set of It Ends With Us and was uncomfortable with a kissing scene she had with him in which she believed he ‘lingered’ for longer than was necessary.

Amid swirling rumors of a feud between the duo, a new report has shed light on two alleged instances involving Justin that made Blake feel uncomfortable during the making of the film.

TMZ reports that the alleged fat-shaming stemmed from preparation for a scene in the film which saw Justin lift Lively into the air. 

Insiders told the website that Justin suffers from back problems and sought assistance from a trainer prior to the lifting scene.

Justin allegedly asked the trainer how much Blake, 36, weighed and asked for help preparing his back to avoid incurring an injury. 

When Blake learned about Justin’s comments, she allegedly felt fat-shamed by him.

The Gossip Girl starlet welcomed her fourth child with husband Ryan Reynolds in February 2023, and sources shared with TMZ the remark really got to the actress.

TMZ sources also cited another alleged instance that bothered Blake on the set.

The duo were filming a kissing scene and sources claim Lively believed Baldoni ‘lingered’ longer than was necessary for the kiss.

Blake allegedly felt ‘fat-shamed’ by Justin on the set of It Ends With Us

Crew turns on Blake 

The It Ends With Us cast and crew have not all sided with Blake, a source has claimed, alleging that many people feel Justin was ‘screwed’ creatively. 

In recent weeks there have reports of major ‘creative differences’ and conflict between the co-stars as they embark on separate press tours.

But production sources have now quashed brewing rumours that the entire cast are standing with Blake saying that many in the crew view director and star Justin favourably.

Speaking to TMZ, sources claimed that Justin was ‘generally a nice guy to work with and cared a lot about the production’.

Crisis PR manager called in

Justin has since turned to the well-regarded PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan for help, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Melissa is best known for representing Johnny Depp during his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard. 

She launched her firm The Agency Group in June, and her initial clients included Depp, Drake, The Chainsmokers, Logan Paul and more.

The Agency Group is based in Los Angeles and New York, with a satellite office in Washington, DC.

Melissa had previously worked for the crisis management leader Matthew Hiltzik at his Hiltzik Strategies agency.

It was there that she represented Depp during his defamation trial against Heard, but the controversial actor jumped ship to join her once her new firm was announced.

Justin has turned to a top Hollywood PR crisis manager to help him through the backlash

Blake’s ‘tone deaf’ interview

Blake was blasted as ‘tone deaf’ and ‘shallow’ after she hosted an interview with her It Ends With Us costars and failed to discuss the serious message behind the movie.

When the Gossip Girl alum sat down with fellow cast members Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer, as well as author Colleen Hoover last week to discuss the new flick, many people were left unamused by the lighthearted nature of their conversation. 

The four women giggled together as they discussed everything from their dream jobs to their zodiac signs, but there was no mention of domestic violence during their chat.

And social media users were quick to slam them – particularly Blake, who hosted the interview – for partaking in the breezy questionnaire given the serious nature of the film, and for failing to speak about the topic.

Immediately, outraged viewers flocked to the comment section to criticize them.

‘I’m very confused. You missed the entire purpose of the movie. I’m sad and disappointed,’ one person wrote.

‘This is a movie about abuse, can you promote please appropriately?’ another asked.

Someone else added, ‘Blake is only here for the fashion and that’s all. She ain’t interested in the message this movie brings. Shallow.’

‘As someone who has read the book, as someone who liked Blake, and as a DV survivor… to say that this is so disappointing would be an understatement,’ a fourth comment read.

A fifth said, ‘This is the most tone deaf thing I’ve ever seen. This movie is about domestic violence, why are you promoting it like it’s a Barbie movie?’

‘When are you gonna talk about domestic violence? Trying to play this movie off as a fun romcom is wrong and disgusting,’ a different user scathed.

‘We don’t wanna hear about shows and your new hair care routine we wanna hear about the victims and how prevalent domestic violence remains in society. You have been given a platform, use it.’ 

Others said they were ‘team Justin,’ referencing an alleged feud between Blake and the actor.

Several hours later Blake took to Instagram to share information about domestic violence, as well as some resources for her followers.

She directed her followers to a series of links, which included a phone hotline for victims of domestic violence, as well as statistics and other information.

‘Everyone deserves relationships free of domestic violence,’ she wrote.