Hollywood drama usually stays behind closed doors or gets filtered through a publicist's carefully worded "mutual respect" statement. But the situation with It Ends With Us went off the rails. It’s been a wild ride. First, we noticed they weren't standing together on the red carpet. Then came the social media unfollows. Now, thanks to some high-stakes legal battles, we actually have the receipts.
The Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively text messages unsealed in court have pulled back the curtain on what was happening when the cameras stopped rolling. It wasn't just "creative differences." It was a full-blown war over who really owned the story of Lily Bloom.
The "Setting Me Up for a Trap" Text
One of the most jarring messages came to light in early 2026. On December 30, 2023, Justin Baldoni sent a text to his then-agent, Danny Greenberg. He didn't hold back. He described his week as a "gigantic clusterf***" and a "brutal experience."
What was the trigger? A dispute over how to film the movie’s intimate scenes.
Baldoni claimed Lively "refused" to use a body double for herself but was simultaneously insisting that he use one for his own performance. In the text, he vented, “That’s just setting me up for a trap.” He felt like he was being pushed into a corner where his professional conduct could be questioned regardless of what he did.
Baldoni’s frustration was palpable. He told his agent he was giving Lively "95% of what she wants for peace," yet he felt drained by an actress who was essentially "rewriting the writer and director." If you’ve read the Colleen Hoover book, you know those scenes are pivotal. Baldoni argued that Lively’s insistence on staying fully clothed during a key romantic moment was "ridiculous" based on the source material.
The Flirty "Love Language" Texts
But wait. The timeline is messy. While the December 2023 texts are full of vitriol, messages from earlier in the production tell a completely different story.
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In April 2023, the vibe seemed almost friendly. Or at least, "spicy."
Baldoni released texts where Lively talked about her "love language." She told him, “I can send you my pass at the roof or just read w[ith] you when we get together next week.” She followed it up by saying, “Lemme know what you prefer :) if you knew me (in person) longer you’d have a sense of how flirty and yummy the ball busting would play. It’s my love language. Spicy and playfully bold, never with teeth.”
Honestly, if you saw that without context, you’d think they were getting along great. Baldoni’s legal team used these to argue that there was a "comfortable dynamic" and "friendly banter" before things turned sour. They’re basically saying, "How could I be a harasser when she’s texting me like this?"
The Intimacy Coordinator Conflict
One of the biggest points of contention in the Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively text messages involves the hiring of an intimacy coordinator.
- Baldoni's Version: He messaged Lively saying he hired someone he "LOVED" and wanted her to meet the coordinator. He claims she blew it off, texting back, "I feel good. I can meet her when we start :) thank you though!"
- Lively's Version: Her legal team argues he was improvising intimacy without consent. They say his texts were a "performative" attempt to look professional while he was actually creating a hostile environment.
When Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift Got Involved
This is where the celebrity power levels go through the roof. Baldoni’s lawsuits haven't just targeted Lively; they’ve dragged in Ryan Reynolds and even hinted at Taylor Swift’s involvement.
There was an alleged on-set confrontation in April 2023. According to court filings, Ryan Reynolds reportedly confronted Baldoni—supposedly in tears—over "fat-shaming" comments made toward Blake. Witnesses claimed Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman were standing right there. Can you imagine that huddle?
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Baldoni’s take? He claims Lively used her "megacelebrity friends" to bully him into accepting her rewrites. He even alleged that Lively blackmailed Swift into supporting her by threatening to leak private texts. It sounds like a plot from a soap opera, but it’s all sitting in court records.
The "Creeps" and "Clowns" Texts
Lively didn't stay quiet. Her legal team fired back with her own set of "receipts." In an amended complaint from February 2025, a text Lively sent to a friend was revealed.
On May 24, 2023, she wrote: “I was gonna invite you to set tomorrow. These people. Whoa.” She went on to call Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath "creeps" and "clowns."
"It’s like HR nuts today... I mean it’s been present but today I came home and cried." — Blake Lively in a private text message.
She accused them of showing her "videos of your naked wife," referring to a video Baldoni allegedly showed of his wife giving birth. Lively’s side argues this wasn't just a creative disagreement—it was a pattern of behavior that made her feel unsafe and sexualized in a way she didn't consent to.
Where the Case Stands Now
This isn't just Twitter gossip anymore. It’s a multi-million dollar legal war.
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- Lively’s Suit: She’s seeking $160 million, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and a "smear campaign."
- Baldoni’s Suit: He originally sought $400 million against Lively and Reynolds for defamation and "civil extortion."
In June 2025, a judge actually tossed out Baldoni’s defamation suit against Lively, ruling that her "threats" were basically just hard bargaining in a high-stakes industry. But Lively’s harassment suit against Baldoni? That’s still moving toward a trial set for May 2026.
What This Means for You
The Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively text messages highlight a massive shift in how Hollywood power dynamics work. It’s no longer just about who is the director; it’s about who has the biggest "dragons" (as Lively reportedly called her powerful friends) in their corner.
Next Steps for Following the Story:
If you want to stay updated on the facts without the fluff, keep an eye on unsealed court transcripts rather than just Instagram captions. The trial in May 2026 is expected to bring even more of these private communications into the public record. You can also track the specific rulings from Judge Lewis J. Liman, as these will determine which of these explosive texts actually get used as evidence in front of a jury.
The most important takeaway? Always be careful what you put in a green bubble. It might end up as Exhibit A.
Actionable Insight:
If you are following this for professional reasons—like PR or film production—pay close attention to the rulings regarding "hard bargaining" versus "extortion." It’s setting a new legal precedent for how much creative control a producer-actor can legally seize from a director during a "troubled production."