Unsealed document reveals Justin Baldoni felt betrayed by Colleen Hoover amid Blake Lively drama 

Things have gone downhill since Blake Lively sued Justin Baldoni in December 2024. The lawsuit accused the It Ends With Us co-star and director of s*xual harassment. Baldoni and Lively have made multiple headlines recently as newly unsealed text messages could reveal what It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover really thought about the drama between the two actors.

Court documents unsealed on January 20 showed that Baldoni sent messages to Lively about their work together on It Ends With Us. As per a report shared by Us Weekly, he also discussed the behind-the-scenes drama with others. Back then, Baldoni shared in a group chat with his PR team that Colleen Hoover sent him a text message. The author wanted an article about the movie's ending taken down. While including a screenshot of the message, Justin Baldoni said:

"Colleen just texted this to us- first time we've heard from her."

The It Ends With Us director went on to say he felt like he took the "high road" during the drama. He said Hoover "betrayed" and ghosted him. One person on his PR team told him to use the opportunity to open up a dialogue with the author. Baldoni said:

"I'm sorry I don't have the capacity just right now in this moment to be the bigger person and to do that. You have to remember that it was her betrayal that landed me in the hospital. It's been devastating to me."

Colleen Hoover wanted a female director for It Ends With Us, but trusted Justin Baldoni

The It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni put together several drafts before responding to Hoover. He eventually wrote a message to the author about the controversy, noting:

"Colleen, I'm sorry that you are hurting. I want you to know that [I] have not lied or spoken ill of you. I am also not talking about my experience. I have been sticking to the same message of the movie which you know I cared deeply about from the beginning. The headline is taken out of context which you will see from the interview. I spoke about this multiple times and they also don't include everything I say."

Baldoni continued his message to Hoover with more thoughts, adding:

"We do not control the headlines. Since this is the first time I've heard from you, I just want you to know that I have deeply cared about you for the past five years and that hasn't changed."

In November 2025, Colleen Hoover broke her silence on Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's lawsuit. She sat down for an interview with Elle. She said the drama has "impacted some of the actors'" careers in "huge" ways. Hoover added that she finds "it all around sad". The author emphasized back then that she was trying to stay removed from the negativity surrounding the situation.

Court documents obtained by Us Weekly now reveal a different story. The documents show that she initially had concerns when Justin Baldoni signed on to direct the film adaptation of It Ends With Us:

"I think everyone's reaction was concern. They expressed it and said that they think it should be a woman who directs it," the transcript of Hoover's deposition reveals.

Hoover felt the same way. She said that if they couldn't find a female director, she trusted Baldoni to handle the project. The author recalled:

"I felt like, of all men, with him having the platform he did based on women, that he would be one of the few men I would be OK with directing it."

She noted that the general pushback was about Justin Baldoni being a man. Hoover said she initially didn't realize Baldoni would also star in the film. She admitted that it didn't hurt having Blake Lively as his costar.

Hoover made it clear that she wanted the focus of the movie to remain on the heart of the book. Domestic violence awareness was the central theme.

Also Read: Blake Lively to star in and produce The Survival List, an action rom-com at Lionsgate

Colleen Hoover privately backed Blake Lively as texts and emails surfaced

As per a report shared by Us Weekly, private text messages exchanged between Colleen Hoover and Blake Lively in July 2024 later became part of the unsealed material tied to the It Ends With Us fallout, offering insight into how the author viewed the situation involving Justin Baldoni.

In an exchange, Lively opened up about feeling unfairly portrayed. She wrote via text message:

“I literally don’t know a single thing I’ve done that he can smear me about. Ryan [Reynolds] says he should be writing me apology and thank you letters every day. And instead he chooses to make a monster outta me.”

The actress added:

“But what’s my crime. I’ve only ever stayed focused on the work and given him EVERY opportunity to make it better. And he just keeps behaving like a rabid pig.”

Hoover responded with support:

“Exactly. I think as women and mothers we’re taught to give grace until there’s nothing left of us, but in times like these, sometimes it’s good to be reminded that grace is wonderful until it compromises your integrity,” Hoover replied.

While Colleen Hoover admitted she occasionally felt conflicted, her follow-up message suggested she didn’t believe Justin Baldoni felt the same sense of accountability. She noted:

“I can guarantee you he hasn’t felt an ounce of guilt. He’s too busy playing victim while you work your a*s off to make a better movie that he gets credit for.”

A trial is now scheduled for May 2026, as per a report shared by People Magazine.

Trending

Follow Soap Central for more such information.

Also Read: “Believes he’s our century’s prophet”: Blake lively stated Justin Baldoni is part of a “cult” in a text to Lucy and Matt Damon

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback