Brandon Sklenar, the co-star of Blake Lively in the film adaptation of It Ends With Us, has publicly declined to address the controversy surrounding recently unsealed text messages between the pair. The messages, which form part of Lively's 2024 lawsuit against director Justin Baldoni, appear to show the actors criticising Baldoni in a private exchange.
A Terse Response in Las Vegas
Making his first public appearance since the messages were released, Sklenar was approached at UFC 324 in Las Vegas over the weekend. When asked by entertainment reporters if he wished to clarify or "clear up" the content of the texts, the 35-year-old actor offered a simple, "Nah," accompanied by a brief, awkward smile. The moment was captured in a video shared by ET.
Content of the Controversial Messages
The unsealed court documents, which include over 180 pages of evidence, contain a candid text conversation between Lively and Sklenar. In the exchange, obtained by the Daily Mail, Lively describes Baldoni as "bats***," while Sklenar comments that the director is "definitely scrambling" and "totally f***ing himself for any future work."
Lively elaborates further, alleging that Baldoni would have been "handed a career" had she not taken action, but that "the word is out" about his conduct. She claims her primary focus was the work, stating she had been "protecting it from getting out" to avoid being pulled into "the f***ing mess they make."
Allegations and the Lawsuit
The texts were submitted as evidence in Blake Lively's ongoing lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. She has accused the director of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct, and intentional infliction of emotional distress on the set of It Ends With Us—allegations he has consistently denied. In the film, adapted from Colleen Hoover's novel, Lively stars as Lily, with Baldoni directing and co-starring as her character's partner, Ryle. Sklenar portrays Atlas, Lily's other love interest.
Within the messages, Lively recounts an incident where Baldoni allegedly leaned in to tell Sklenar something on set but stopped himself, remarking he would "probably get canceled" and that "you can’t say anything on this set anymore." Sklenar replies that he vaguely remembers the exchange but does not recall Baldoni explaining his meaning. Lively frames this as part of a pattern, alleging Baldoni frequently tried to pull others into his "messiness."
Wider Fallout and Celebrity Involvement
The legal drama has ensnared several high-profile names from Hollywood. Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds, is also implicated through his own unsealed messages. In these, Reynolds allegedly referred to Baldoni as a "dumb-dumb" and a "thoroughbred, predatory fraudster." A representative for Reynolds defended his involvement, stating, "what husband wouldn't support his wife?" and that he believes passionately in "the basic right to a safe workplace free of harassment."
Furthermore, court papers reveal that pop superstar Taylor Swift was drawn into the feud. In texts to Lively, Swift reportedly agreed to help her friend, calling Baldoni a "b***h" and noting she thought he "knows something is coming because he's gotten out his tiny violin" just before a major New York Times article on the allegations was published.
Other celebrities mentioned include Matt Damon, his wife Lucy, and Ben Affleck, to whom Lively allegedly described Baldoni as a "chaotic clown."
Legal Stances and Financial Stakes
Justin Baldoni's legal team, through lawyer Bryan Freedman, has issued a firm rebuttal. The statement asserts that "the evidence does not support the claims as a matter of law" and expresses confidence in "clearing the names" of all parties associated with Baldoni through the legal process.
Despite the film's commercial success—earning $148 million domestically and $350 million globally—the production is now overshadowed by these serious allegations. Blake Lively is seeking more than $160 million in damages, with a trial date set for May 2026 in New York.
The unsealed texts between Sklenar and Lively not only reveal personal frustrations but also highlight deeper tensions on set, including discussions about separate film edits prepared by Lively and Baldoni. Sklenar appeared to reassure Lively that her version would ultimately be selected, underscoring the creative conflicts alleged in the lawsuit.
