The ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, stemming from their collaboration on the film adaptation of “It Ends With Us,” has taken another dramatic turn with the release of a lengthy voice memo from Baldoni to Lively. The nearly seven-minute message, sent at 2 a.m., reveals Baldoni’s emotional response to a disagreement over the film’s script, particularly a pivotal rooftop scene. This scene, depicting the first encounter between Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, and Baldoni’s character, Ryle Kincaid, became a point of contention after Lively, with the assistance of her husband Ryan Reynolds and friend Taylor Swift, rewrote it. Baldoni’s subsequent court filing alleged that he felt pressured by the involvement of these “megacelebrities” to approve the revisions.
The voice memo, obtained by TMZ, begins with an apology from Baldoni, expressing his regret for falling short and acknowledging Lively’s hard work on the scene. He thanks her for sharing her feelings about the project and her broader experiences in Hollywood, emphasizing his willingness to admit his mistakes and apologize. He reiterates his commitment to learning from his errors and improving, assuring Lively that he will do better. Baldoni’s apology seems to address Lively’s discomfort with his initial response to the rewritten scene, acknowledging the emotional impact it had on her. This apology underscores the sensitivity of the situation and suggests a desire to mend their professional relationship.
Baldoni’s message then shifts to address the involvement of Reynolds and Swift, whom he seemingly praises as highly creative individuals. He acknowledges the power of their combined influence, referring to the trio as an “unbelievable” force. However, he clarifies that Lively’s collaborative efforts weren’t necessary to convince him of the scene’s merit, as he already recognized its quality and potential to enhance the film. This portion of the message appears to be an attempt to diffuse the tension surrounding the script revisions, acknowledging the validity of Lively’s changes while subtly pushing back against the perceived pressure tactics.
The voice memo further reveals Baldoni’s preference for face-to-face communication over text and voice notes, attributing some of the miscommunication to the limitations of these mediums. He expresses his enthusiasm for collaborating with Lively directly and building a strong working relationship. He compliments her work ethic and vision, emphasizing their shared commitment to excellence. This focus on collaborative spirit and shared creative vision seems designed to reassure Lively of his respect for her as a creative partner and to downplay the earlier conflict. He recalls their positive initial interactions, emphasizing the chemistry he felt from the start and expressing his excitement to work alongside her.
Shifting to a more personal tone, Baldoni expresses his anger towards other filmmakers who have mistreated Lively in the past, emphasizing his commitment to creating a respectful and supportive working environment. He assures her that his intention is to collaborate fully with her, valuing her contributions and experiences. This section of the voice memo tackles the broader context of Lively’s experiences in Hollywood, positioning Baldoni as an ally and further distancing himself from the negative behavior she has allegedly encountered. This expression of empathy may be an attempt to rebuild trust and solidify his commitment to a positive working relationship.
As the message nears its conclusion, Baldoni apologizes for rambling and acknowledges the demands on Lively’s time, referencing her young children. He concludes with a lighthearted remark, expressing his gratitude for her trust and reiterating his eagerness to continue working together. The overall tone of the message, despite its length and late-night timing, appears conciliatory. It suggests a conscious effort by Baldoni to address Lively’s concerns, smooth over any perceived slights, and re-establish a positive working relationship.
The leaked voice memo adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal dispute between the two actors. Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, allegations which he vehemently denies. Baldoni, in turn, has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and Lively’s publicist, alleging extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Lively’s legal team has characterized Baldoni’s lawsuit as a retaliatory tactic, accusing him of employing “DARVO” – Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim Offender – to deflect from the sexual harassment allegations. The contrasting narratives presented by both parties further complicate the already messy legal battle, making it difficult to discern the full truth of the situation.
The public release of the voice memo, along with Baldoni’s team’s plans to launch a website containing correspondence and videos related to the case, suggests a strategy of transparency and a desire to present his side of the story. Meanwhile, Lively and Reynolds have filed a motion for a gag order against Baldoni’s attorney, seeking to control the flow of information to the public. The upcoming pre-trial hearing and subsequent trial will undoubtedly delve deeper into the intricacies of the accusations and counter-accusations, potentially shedding more light on the events that transpired during the filming of “It Ends With Us.” The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the validity of the respective claims and the ultimate consequences for both Lively and Baldoni.
