Colleen Hoover, author of It Ends With Us, supports Blake Lively in lawsuit against Justin Baldoni

Colleen Hoover, the bestselling author of It Ends With Us, has publicly supported Blake Lively following the actress’s lawsuit against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliation, and orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her reputation.

In an Instagram Stories post, Hoover shared a link to a New York Times report on the lawsuit, praising Lively as “nothing but honest, kind, supportive, and patient” since their first meeting. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt,” Hoover wrote, referencing Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, who is a florist in the film adaptation of Hoover’s novel. Hoover’s statement underscores her support for Lively amid the serious allegations.

The lawsuit alleges that during filming, Lively, Baldoni, and producer Jamey Heath attended a meeting to address what Lively described as a “hostile work environment.” According to the complaint, the parties agreed to stipulations that included banning the sharing of explicit videos or images, as well as prohibiting discussions of pornography and other inappropriate topics on set.

Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has denied the allegations, calling them “categorically false” and “intentionally salacious.” In a statement, Freedman claimed the accusations were part of a deliberate effort to harm Baldoni’s reputation. He argued that Lively’s allegations were aimed at shifting public perception after backlash over her promotional efforts for the film.

While Lively faced criticism during the movie’s marketing campaign, Baldoni was praised for his focus on the serious themes of the story. The case highlights the complex dynamics of public perception and professional relationships in Hollywood.