Blake Lively’s recent voice memo addressed to Justin Baldoni has caused widespread confusion, as the two actors are currently embroiled in a protracted legal battle. The memo, made public as part of newly unsealed evidence in Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, reveals a seemingly cordial and trusting relationship between the former co-stars, contrasting sharply with the ongoing dispute.
Details Reveal a Closer Relationship Early in Filming
In the voice message, Lively greets Baldoni warmly, opening with, “I hope you’re so well,” before explaining her intention to inform him about her challenging filming schedule. She was preparing to shoot two back-to-back projects, Proxy and It Ends With Us — the latter directed by Baldoni, in which she also starred — soon after giving birth.
Lively lamented the difficulty of the schedule, saying,
“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,”
followed by,
“But having a week off in between, it’s just a lot.”
She additionally revealed stress over childcare, explaining,
“I still don’t have a baby nurse,”
emphasizing her struggle with the demanding workload so soon after becoming a new mother.
Encouragement from Ryan Reynolds to Open Up
Despite initial hesitation, Lively said her husband, Ryan Reynolds, encouraged her to express her concerns honestly to Baldoni. She quoted him as saying,
“You guys have such a great trust. Fill [Baldoni] in,”
highlighting the faith in communication between Lively and Baldoni that existed early on in the projects.
She also noted that she would not make similar appeals to Proxy’s director because, as she put it, she was unable to
“talk to [that director] like [she] talk[s] to”
Baldoni, underscoring their unique working rapport.
Evidence Points to Relationship Breakdown
This voice memo stands out as a stark reminder that Lively and Baldoni’s professional relationship began on friendly terms, even if things deteriorated significantly. Additional unsealed documents include texts from Ryan Reynolds to his agent, revealing his frustration about the situation. At the time of the premiere of It Ends With Us, Reynolds wrote:
“I’m super frustrated because this is a moment in which Blake should be celebrating. She made this unbelievable win happen,”
followed by,
“She WILLED this weekend into reality. Baldoni and these other buckets of dumb-dumb-juice should be acknowledging the speculation and gossip themselves. They should be jumping in front of it in the most full throated, unqualified way. Now.”
Reynolds’ messages later called Baldoni a “thoroughbred, predatory fraudster” and an “inexplicably toxic mess,” sharply criticizing him. He added:
“In her experience (and mine) nobody has ever reached the empyrean heights of vile the way Justin Baldoni has. His complete lack of not only remorse but self-preservation is a character study in malignant, lazy-lidded stupidity and darkness.”
Ryan Reynolds’ Rep Addresses His Involvement
A representative for Reynolds responded to his outspoken role in the case, stating:
“Yes, Ryan got involved — what husband wouldn’t support his wife and the mother of his children?”
The rep further explained,
“He saw his wife fighting daily to stand up against sexual harassment in a private and respectful way, only to face retaliation for doing so.”
Ongoing Developments Expected
With fresh evidence continuing to emerge, the legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni remains under intense scrutiny. The contrast between the earlier amicable communication and the harsh allegations now in play highlights a complex and strained relationship. Future updates will clarify how this conflict evolves and its broader implications within the film industry.
