The Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Mess Took Some Wild Turns

By Mike Redmond | Celebrity | August 15, 2024 |

By Mike Redmond | Celebrity | August 15, 2024 |

Yesterday, I hit the news that Justin Baldoni hired a crisis PR manager as it became increasingly clear that he’s being shut out of his own now-very successful film, It Ends With Us, which he both starred in and directed. Initially, that move seemed like a double-edged sword because, on the one hand, it made Baldoni look guilty of something. On the other, it truly does feel like Blake Lively is trying to bury him, and we soon caught a taste of that.

On Wednesday, TMZ dropped an exclusive report that sure seemed like the shoe was about to drop on Baldoni. But then I actually read it, and well, this is it?

There was a scene in which Justin lifts Blake into the air. According to our sources, Justin has a history of back problems and before lifting Blake, he went to his on-set trainer and asked how much she weighed and how could he train to protect his back from injury.

Blake later found out about Justin’s comment and felt he fat-shamed her.

So, let me get this straight: Instead of loudly proclaiming, “Christ, lady, how much do you weigh?” in front of everyone, Justin Baldoni discreetly went to his trainer with a concern about not jacking up his back. Somehow — and I’m very curious why — Blake Lively found out about a conversation that was conducted in private for the express purpose of not shaming her, and she still cried fat shaming.

Well, that’s interesting because it turns out Blake has no qualms calling other women fat. Earlier this week, entertainment journalist Kjersti Flaa dropped a brutal video on YouTube titled “The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job.” Folks, this thing is painful to watch.

Right out of the gate, Flaa compliments Blake, who was pregnant with her second child. “First of all, congrats on your little bump,” Flaa says, prompting Blake to snap back. “Congrats on your little bump.” It was all downhill from there.

Lively proceeds to very blatantly hijack the interview, and Parker Posey plays right into it. The two were on hand to promote the 2016 Woody Allen movie, Cafe Society, and if you want to see why Jenny Slate would so easily get on board with Team Blake’s marching orders, look no further than this video. Parker has no qualms joining Lively in pulling some Mean Girl shit on a reporter just trying to do her job. I told you this situation took some turns.

Now, back to the other accusation. Via TMZ:

Our sources tell us the second incident that allegedly made Blake uncomfortable on set is when the two engaged in a kissing scene and Blake felt he lingered longer than he should have with the kiss.

Does this seem creepy and something a little more serious? Yeah, and I’m truly hesitant to minimize this one, but also, you’re shooting a romantic movie and these scenes are always going to be awkward. Which is why it’s a good thing that It Ends With Us had two intimacy coordinators on set at all times to prevent this exact situation.

For one last piece of mess, heading into the film’s premiere, Blake Lively was getting ripped apart for marketing It Ends With Us as a light, breezy rom-com that will be a fun night out with your gal pal. It’s actually a dark romance about domestic violence, and she only got around to addressing that aspect after the movie made a killing at the box office.

Baldoni has been all over the domestic violence angle the entire time, so you’ll never guess who the studio is lauding for their efforts on raising awareness.

Via THR:

“Blake, Colleen and so many women put so much effort into this remarkable movie, working selflessly from the start to ensure that such an important subject matter was handled with care. Audiences love the movie. Blake’s passion and commitment to advancing the conversation around domestic violence is commendable,” Sony Pictures Entertainment Chair-CEO Tony Vinciquerra told The Hollywood Reporter. “We love working with Blake, and we want to do 12 more movies with her.”

I dunno, man. I’d probably hire a crisis manager, too, if Mrs. Deadpool was trying to drown my career in the bathtub.

That said, could something else about Baldoni come out? Absolutely. My gender sucks ass, and betting on the dude is always a risky bet. However, we’ve seen evidence of Blake being shitty, and I’m old enough to remember when Ryan Reynolds had a reputation for being a smug, condescending douche to people beneath him. Lainey Gossip used to have a regular feature on him back in the late aughts. Something to keep in mind.