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Justin Baldoni made headlines after sending a voice memo to co-star Blake Lively, apologizing for their recent creative conflicts. The memo, reportedly lasting around seven minutes, saw Baldoni take full responsibility for the tensions that had developed during the production process.
The issues reportedly began when Lively, who portrays Lily Bloom, collaborated with her husband Ryan Reynolds and close friend Taylor Swift to rewrite a pivotal rooftop scene in the movie. This scene, which involves a meeting between Lively's character and Ryle Kincaid (played by Baldoni), was modified in a way that Lively and her team felt would add emotional depth to the narrative. Baldoni, however, felt uncomfortable with the changes, especially given the involvement of high-profile figures like Reynolds and Swift.
In the voice memo, Baldoni began by acknowledging his mistakes. "I messed up, Blake, and I'm really sorry," he said. "That's a fail on my part. I shouldn't have let things get to the point they did, and I take full responsibility for not stepping in sooner."
He continued to praise Lively's creativity, expressing gratitude for her contributions to the film's storyline. "I know that you came from a place of wanting to make the movie better, and I love you for that," Baldoni shared. "Your input, along with Ryan and Taylor's, was filled with unbelievable energy, and I truly believe it's going to make this movie special."
Baldoni further elaborated on the situation, admitting that he had mishandled communication. "We should've talked about this face to face. I should've never let a text or voice memo be how we handled this. That's on me," he explained. "In retrospect, I see that now, and I wish we could've had a clearer, more direct conversation about it."
The apology took on a more personal tone as Baldoni acknowledged the emotional weight the situation had carried. "I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to stand up and say, 'I think we can do better,' especially when you have all these people you care about involved," he said. "It wasn't easy, and I didn't make it easier."
Lively has reportedly accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and emotional distress during filming. In response, Baldoni's legal team has issued a statement denying these claims. "The allegations against Justin are entirely unfounded and unjust," said the statement. "This is a case of creative differences, and Justin has always maintained a respectful and professional approach towards his colleagues."
Despite the ongoing legal disputes, It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel, continues to generate immense anticipation.
