The adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel “It Ends with Us” was intended to shine a light on domestic violence through an honest love story. Instead, it exploded into one of Hollywood’s messiest feuds, pitting stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni against each other in lawsuits and public bickering. Now, author Colleen Hoover is speaking out, sharing her embarrassment and sadness about how controversy overshadowed the core message of her story.
The legal storm takes center stage
Filming wrapped in 2024 amid whispers of tension, but things came to a boil when Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights on December 20, 2024. She accused Baldoni, who directed and starred opposite her, of creating a hostile scene that included alleged sexual advances, such as impromptu kisses and boundary violations. Lively also alleged that Baldoni launched a “social manipulation” campaign to discredit her, causing her emotional distress.
Blake Lively files new motion over ‘inappropriate’ video as Justin Baldoni prepares to go to trial
Baldoni responded through his attorney Brian Friedman, calling the allegations “false, outrageous and intentionally lewd” in a statement to TMZ on December 21, 2024. Friedman accused Lively of threatening not to promote the film and demanding changes such as not adding sex scenes or discussions of genitals on set. Reports from The Hollywood Reporter detailed its list to Wayfarer Studios, including a ban on nude photos or references to Baldoni’s past “pornography addiction.”
Baldoni’s team argued that Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and producer Jimmy Heath coordinated to derail his career and focus the film on domestic violence.The dispute escalated when Baldoni sued Lively and The New York Times for defamation, although a judge dismissed the suit on October 31, 2025, due to missed deadlines. Lively’s harassment lawsuit will go to trial in March 2026.
Hoover’s honest response
Colleen Hoover, whose 2016 book sold in the millions, has remained mostly silent until November 2025.
In an interview with Elle on November 20, 2025, she described the saga as a “circus”, saying: “This has really affected the careers of some actors in massive ways, and I find it sad all around.” “I don’t want to have to put someone else down in order to raise myself up. So I prefer to ignore it and let people think and say what they have to say,” she added, explaining her choice to avoid negativity despite having “sides to it.” [her] story.
“Hoover admitted his embarrassment by the film, saying, “It feels very fundamental now that there is nothing anyone can say to change any opinions people hold, even though the actual truth remains out of reach for everyone, myself included.”On an episode of Open Book with Jenna Bush Hager, Hoover said, “It is, but it’s easier to dismiss it because I look at its success. On its opening weekend, we were all shocked by how many readers showed up for it and how successful it was and how much it resonated. We were shocked by a lot of readers.”
I’m very proud of this movie. I think the actors, the director, everyone did such a good job that I had to look at everything else separate from the movie, from the book.
” Hoover noted that although the situation was unfortunate, she still greatly appreciated the opportunity to see her story adapted for the screen.
More about “It Ends with Us.”
“It Ends with Us” follows Lily Bloom, played by Blake Lively, as she navigates love, trauma and difficult choices. Her relationship with Raelle Kincaid, portrayed by Justin Baldoni, forces her to confront painful patterns while rediscovering the strength, self-worth, and courage to break cycles of abuse.
