Unsealed texts show Jenny Slate condemning Justin Baldoni over ‘It Ends With Us’

Jenny Slate’s private messages about Justin Baldoni surface in legal dispute

Actress Jenny Slate sharply criticized Justin Baldoni in a series of private text messages that were unsealed this week as part of the ongoing legal battle surrounding the film It Ends With Us, describing the director and co-star as a “fraud,” a “false ally,” and “the biggest clown.”

The messages, dated June 2023, surfaced in newly unsealed court filings ahead of a summary judgment hearing in Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios. Slate, who played Baldoni’s onscreen sister in the 2024 film, sent the texts to members of her team while discussing early publicity plans.

In the messages, Slate wrote that she did not want to participate in promotional activities involving Baldoni and claimed the filming experience had been “really gross and disturbing.” She alleged that multiple people felt similarly and said that she and Lively had raised concerns directly with the studio.

Slate went on to accuse Baldoni of cultivating a misleading public image, writing that she was unwilling to support what she described as his portrayal of himself as a “male feminist.” In additional texts, she characterized him as intensely narcissistic and said the experience had been deeply unsettling.

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The unsealed materials also include excerpts from Slate’s deposition, in which she described an on-set comment Baldoni allegedly made about her appearance. Slate testified that she found the remark inappropriate and unwanted, adding that she did not feel comfortable confronting him at the time because he was her superior.

Baldoni has denied wrongdoing. His attorney previously said that Baldoni is seeking to be vindicated in court and wants the truth to emerge through the legal process. Representatives for Baldoni and Slate did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the release of the documents.

Lively’s lawsuit, which alleges sexual harassment and retaliation during production, is scheduled to go to trial in May 2026. Her legal team said the newly unsealed records include corroborating testimony and messages from multiple individuals who worked on the film.

Slate publicly expressed support for Lively after news of the lawsuit became public in late 2024, praising her as a trusted friend and commending her decision to pursue legal action.