Newly unsealed court documents have revealed a heartfelt voice message that Blake Lively sent to Justin Baldoni in early 2023, just weeks prior to the start of filming on It Ends With Us. The message captures Lively’s feelings of overwhelm as she prepared to return to work while managing multiple personal and professional responsibilities, shedding light on the tension surrounding their ongoing legal dispute.
Blake Lively, 38, who shares four young children with her husband Ryan Reynolds, including daughters James, 11, Inez, 9, Betty, 6, and son Olin, 2, conveyed the challenges she faced balancing motherhood with her career. The voice note was submitted as evidence in the lawsuit Lively filed against Baldoni in December 2024, which accuses him of sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni, 42, has denied these claims. The trial over the $160 million damages sought by Lively is set for May 2026 in New York.
Lively’s Message Expresses Overwhelm and Scheduling Pressures
In the voice message dated February 8, 2023, Lively spoke directly to Baldoni, describing the stress she was experiencing ahead of her work commitments.
“I’m talking to you as a friend at this point more than anything,”
she said, opening the message with a tone of vulnerability.
She explained that despite feeling physically and emotionally drained, she had already committed to another filming project beforehand.
“The only reason that I’m doing [that movie] before is because I gave them my word and I wouldn’t go back on that,”
Lively said. She added,
“But having a week off in between, it’s just a lot,”
referencing the tight schedule she faced.
Lively also revealed her struggle with inadequate childcare support, confessing,
“I still don’t have a baby nurse,”
and shared how the prospect of returning to work so soon after childbirth was daunting.
Concerns About Production Timeline and Personal Needs
The message largely centered on Lively’s wish for additional time to prepare for filming It Ends With Us. She emphasized the toll the quick turnaround was taking.
“Shooting in April, shooting in March is just too soon after having a baby and not sleeping and wanting to be in my best shape,”
Lively said.
She suggested possibly adjusting the production schedule, acknowledging the request was partially driven by personal reasons:
“Obviously there’s selfish reasons I’m telling you this,”
she admitted.
“If by chance you’re like, ‘Oh my God, if I could go two weeks earlier, that would actually be great,’ then amazing.”
In a lighter moment amid her honest admission, Lively closed the voice memo with a quip about her social isolation:
“This is my social interaction these days — just talking into voice memos.”
Additional Communication Between Lively and Baldoni During Filming
During production, Baldoni also sent Lively a voice message apologizing after a disagreement over changes she made to a rooftop scene in the film. This message, leaked in January 2025, shows Baldoni expressing regret regarding the situation. Related text messages and conversations reveal tension between the two over creative decisions on set.
This ongoing communication and the recently revealed voice memo offer insight into the complex relationship between Lively and Baldoni as the legal battle unfolds.
Legal Dispute Highlights the Challenges Behind the Scenes
The unsealed voice note adds a new dimension to the highly publicized sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by Blake Lively against Justin Baldoni. It illustrates the personal and professional pressures the actress faced during the production period and highlights her candid effort to communicate openly with Baldoni despite the stress.
As the May 2026 trial approaches in New York, these revealed messages may play a key role in understanding the dynamics between the two stars and the pressures leading up to their legal conflict. The case is closely followed by both industry watchers and the public, underscoring ongoing conversations about workplace conduct and accountability in Hollywood productions.
