In a revealing development from the ongoing legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, bestselling author Colleen Hoover privately expressed significant discomfort about Baldoni's potential presence at the premiere of the film adaptation of her novel, It Ends With Us. A newly surfaced email, unsealed as part of court exhibits, shows Hoover candidly addressing Sony executives with her concerns in July 2024.
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions Surface
The correspondence, which has circulated online following its inclusion in legal filings, captures Hoover's anxiety about the premiere arrangements. The author, whose 2016 novel was adapted into the controversial 2024 box office hit, wrote that she felt "beyond uncomfortable" with the prospect of Baldoni attending the event.
Hoover emphasised that while she remained grateful for the film adaptation and proud of the final product, she felt increasingly cornered by internal conflicts and communication breakdowns behind the scenes. "At this point," Hoover wrote in the email, "things are beyond uncomfortable."
Protecting Herself Amid Pressure
The author made clear that her concerns weren't about choosing sides in the dispute between Lively and Baldoni, but rather about protecting herself from what she described as anxiety-inducing pressure and blurred professional boundaries. As decisions around the premiere became more fraught, Hoover expressed discomfort with being asked to make "huge decisions" about attendance.
"Am I going to be comfortable if Justin is there? No," Hoover wrote plainly in the email. She explained that she no longer wanted to be positioned as a messenger for difficult news, preferring instead to be supported as the author whose work was being celebrated.
Premiere Attendance in Question
While Hoover stated she hoped to attend the premiere, she stopped short of committing to appear if Baldoni and his team were present. The author acknowledged being torn between showing up for the film's celebration and retreating entirely due to the emotional toll of the situation.
Hoover also expressed empathy for Blake Lively's position, writing that she understood why the actress might choose not to attend the premiere. The author noted she would personally struggle to celebrate alongside people she felt she couldn't fully trust.
Avoiding the Scapegoat Role
Ultimately, Hoover said she would support Lively's decision whatever it might be, while urging Sony not to place responsibility for Baldoni's attendance or absence on her shoulders. "I definitely don't want to be a scapegoat," she wrote emphatically.
The author closed her message on a conciliatory note, assuring executives that regardless of what happened with the premiere, she would continue to speak positively about the film publicly. Hoover expressed deep gratitude to those involved for doing "the book such justice."
Broader Context of Legal Dispute
Hoover's email emerges amid a bitter legal battle between Lively and Baldoni that has stretched over more than a year. Lively filed her lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct and intentional infliction of emotional distress, including claims of body shaming and attempts to damage her reputation.
Baldoni has denied all allegations and previously sought substantial damages in separate legal actions, though some cases have been dismissed. The actor-director previously claimed that Lively "demanded he not attend" the premiere and alleged that she relegated him and his family to watch the film from a basement area.
Social Media Reaction and Industry Fallout
Following the email's circulation online, social media users expressed frustration with Hoover's position, with some accusing her of "picking the wrong side" in the dispute. One user referred to the author as a "traitor" and "shameful sellout," while others criticised what they perceived as a lack of professionalism in Hollywood dealings.
The controversy has drawn in other high-profile figures, with exhibits revealing an email allegedly sent by Ryan Reynolds to Hoover following the premiere. In the message, Reynolds praised the film's success while making disparaging remarks about Baldoni, calling him a "dumb-dumb" in other unsealed correspondence.
Production Tensions Revealed
Further correspondence suggests broader tensions during production, with Reynolds claiming in text messages that "every cast member and key crew member (including Colleen) won't be in the same room as the guy." He added that all involved had unfollowed Baldoni on social media over the preceding six months.
The legal battle continues with a trial scheduled for March 2026, as all parties maintain their positions and deny the allegations against them. Hoover's email provides a rare glimpse into the personal toll such industry disputes can take on creative collaborators caught in the middle.
