Celeb Reactions to the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Scandal

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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at notable celebrities who have weighed in on the public feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni[a] and the shocking accusations the Hollywood stars have levied against one another.

Colleen[b] Hoover

When filmmaker and actor Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios took on the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, “It Ends with Us,” the author initially expressed excitement over the project, calling Lively her “dream Lily” and applauded Baldoni as the “perfect” Ryle. However, after Blake Lively filed a bombshell lawsuit alleging that Justin Baldoni’s behavior caused her “severe emotional distress” while working on the film, Hoover publicly expressed her support for Lively in an Instagram story. Sharing a photo of herself and the actress, she praised their bond with the caption, “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive, and patient since the day we met.” She concluded her message with heartfelt thanks, adding, “Never change. Never wilt.”

America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn & Alexis Bledel

Following a December 21, 2024, New York Times report titled "We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine," many of Blake Lively’s co-stars spoke out in her defense. Among them were America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, who took to social media to release a joint statement. As long-time friends of Lively since their days filming 2005’s “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” the trio stated that they stand with her in solidarity as she “fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation.” This being in reference to the New York Times’ claim that Justin Baldoni attempted to “bury” Lively through a coordinated social media takedown with the help of a Crisis PR firm.

Whitney Cummings

Outspoken comedian Whitney Cummings didn't hold back when addressing the Justin Baldoni and Blakely Lively discourse in a TikTok video. Cummings criticized Baldoni for what she described as “performative feminism” and took several digs at his past behavior saying, in part, “I don’t like when guys — especially symmetrical ones — try to get points for being a feminist or an ally.” She also accused him of having “big charity energy,” suggesting he might use donations to charities as a way to mask bad behavior. Baldoni had previously been recognized by the organization Vital Voices for elevating women and helping to end domestic violence. However, they rescinded his award in the aftermath of Blake Lively’s lawsuit.

Bart Johnson[c]

Much like Blake Lively's sister Robyn, her brother-in-law, actor Bart Johnson, has been very vocal in support of the “Gossip Girl” alum. Responding to The New York Times exposé, he reminded fans that “her complaints were filed during filming” and added that “the cast unfollowed him for a reason.” This was in reference to an earlier discovery where the actors of “This Ends with Us” were found to be following Blake but not Justin on social media. Johnson further criticized Baldoni’s PR team, calling them in part “gross and disgusting.” The “Highschool Musical” actor had previously defended Lively during backlash over her perceived “tone-deaf” efforts during the “It Ends with Us” promotional tour.

Christina Ricci

Responses to Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s feud have come from some unexpected figures - one such being Christina Ricci. The veteran actress took to Instagram to voice her support for Blake Lively, as well as Amber Heard - both of whom have been at the center of discussions about the demonization of women on social media. Curiously, Ricci’s past work includes films with Amber Heard’s ex Johnny Depp, including the movies “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Sleepy Hollow.” In her post, Ricci criticized the perceived societal manipulation that pits women against each other and called for reflection, writing “Misogyny exploits the jealousy women feel for each other — specifically when it comes to beautiful women and girls.”

Brandon Sklenar[d]

When it comes to the cast of “It Ends with Us,” they appear to side with their co-star, Blake Lively. Following The New York Times story, Brandon Sklenar, who played Atlas in the $351 million-grossing film, showed his support for Blake by urging followers to view the report, writing, “For the love of God read this.” Earlier in August, during the film's contentious press tour, he also defended Lively, calling the backlash “disheartening” and condemned the online backlash. He took to social media to say, “Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about.”

Jenny Slate

Another “It Ends with Us” performer, Jenny Slate, has made it clear that she also stands with her “cast mate and friend” Blake Lively. Slate, who portrayed Justin Baldoni's character’s sister in the film, shared a statement with NBC’s “Today” voicing her support as Lively “takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation.” She praised her co-star as "a leader, loyal friend, and a trusted source of emotional support." Slate also condemned the attack as "terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening." The comedian and actress also went on to share that she admired Blake’s bravery during this ordeal.

Paul Feig & Shawn Levy[e]

Paul Feig, who directed Blake Lively in “A Simple Favor” and its upcoming sequel, expressed his support for the actress on X, writing, "I've now made two movies with Blake, and all I can say is she's one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented, and kind people I've ever worked with.” He further shared that he thinks “it's awful” what she has gone through. Similarly, Shawn Levy, the director who worked with Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds on “Deadpool and Wolverine” and is the godfather to the Hollywood couple’s son Olin, shared a link to The New York Times article on his Instagram, adding, “Proud to call Blake Lively a friend.”

Michele Morrone[f]

Italian actor Michele Morrone, who will appear alongside Blake Lively in the upcoming sequel to 2018’s thriller/comedy “A Simple Favor,” shared a video giving his take on the matter. Addressing the situation on Instagram, Morrone said, "I think it’s time to stand up for a person that I really love, and this person is Blake Lively." He reflected on their time filming “A Simple Favor 2,” adding, "I felt something was wrong, and I felt the pain. Blake was in pain." Morrone ended with a message of encouragement for Lively: "Blake, I love you so much. Keep it up, and we’re going to see each other very, very soon."

Amber Heard

In a rather surprising reaction to the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni feud, actress Amber Heard voiced her support for Lively in a statement to NBC News. Heard said, "Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying, 'A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on." She continued, "I saw this firsthand and up close” noting that “It's as horrifying as it is destructive." It has since been revealed that Johnny Depp, Amber Heard’s ex-husband, allegedly used the same crisis management firm during their highly publicized trial that Justin Baldoni hired to handle negative PR during the promotion of “It Ends with Us.”

Have you been following the public back-and-forth between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni? Share your own take on the situation in the comments below.

[a]https://youtu.be/GDQ9hF56UsA?si=Wh5FEv-K-IUG7qu4

[b]CAW-leen https://youtu.be/JNRZFPL9PJY?si=gMrcu7bkMcZxVhwZ&t=752
https://youtu.be/cAWaChJolI0?si=yvZB8yNQVErlyRow&t=2
[c]https://youtu.be/EudmU8xqgIg?si=YKcKsVVjrysfnEd5&t=3
[d]skluh-NAR https://youtu.be/Hvehb4cMkgs?si=QKKw1zICzfobjW8A&t=1
[e]https://youtu.be/kMclaC5_EKE
Shawn LEE-vee - not levvy https://youtu.be/2icvcYYhovI?t=2
[f]mee-KEL-LEH more-ROH-neh
https://youtu.be/VAzJHEyi6es?si=W0s1iJAlgUz80-Mw&t=2