Whilst filming “It Ends With Us”, Justin Baldoni’s buddy and former cast member of “The Office”, Rainn Wilson, sent Justin Baldoni encouraging texts while he was at odds with Blake Lively. The facts of the group chats have been made public since Baldoni’s legal defence team filed the messages as evidence.
“Any update, Brothers?” Wilson asked in a text exchange on January 5, 2024, connecting Baldoni, actor Travis Van Winkle, musician Andy Grammer, and producer Jamey Heath of “It Ends With Us”. In response, Baldoni described “one of the hardest nights of my life,” during which he had a brief conversation with Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband. “Ryan was talking to me like a five-year-old and scolding me,” Baldoni penned. “They essentially said that Jamey and I are not who we claimed to be and that for us to have a podcast is unsafe because it makes people feel like we are safe.”
“The words ‘creepy’ and ‘abuse’ were used in reference to me in my behaviour,” Baldoni added later in the message he sent. “I was then given the words of what to say and had to apologise, which I was unable to do because my brain was trying to comprehend what was happening. I feel this was so unjust, and yet the only path forward was to acknowledge her and Ryan’s feelings and apologise and take the wrath of an angry husband,” Baldoni also added.
“Oh, my god,” Wilson replied, “I can’t believe it.” “You were set up and ambushed and personally attacked. I’m stunned. I completely relate to you being stunned, like a deer in the headlights. Probably better that you didn’t immediately Just start apologising. So grateful that Jamey is your partner and could step in diplomatically as needed. Onwards, brother. Make a great and important and entertaining piece of storytelling. That’s all you can do now.”
Lively’s initial legal action against Baldoni began when she filed a Dec. 20, 2024, complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, alleging Baldoni sexually harassed her and created a hostile work environment. Baldoni, in turn, sued Lively and Reynolds for defamation, but that case was dismissed.
