Hudson Valley Actress Sparks Controversy in New Box Office Hit

A Hudson Valley-based actress is at the center of what could be this summer’s biggest Hollywood controversy.

This summer has been fantastic for moviegoers. Films such as Inside Out 2, Twisters, and Deadpool & Wolverine have kept audiences on the edge of their seats. The latest blockbuster hit, It Ends With Us, based on the popular novel by Colleen Hoover, features Bedford, New York resident Blake Lively in the lead role as Lily Bloom.

Justin Baldoni, well-known for his role in Jane the Virgin, co-stars with Lively as Ryle Kincaid and also directed the film. The movie drew swarms of book fans to theaters to watch their favorite story unfold on the big screen.

It Ends With Us had a strong debut, securing the number two spot at the box office with a $50 million opening weekend. Interestingly, it was narrowly beaten by Deadpool & Wolverine, starring Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, which took the number one spot.

However, off-screen drama involving the It Ends With Us cast has now captured public attention.

At the premiere of the film, fans noticed some unusual behavior on the red carpet. Justin Baldoni appeared solo, posing for photos with only his family and friends. In contrast, the rest of the cast, including Lively, Hoover, Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklener, and others, posed together separately.

Adding fuel to the fire, fans observed that all the cast members had unfollowed Baldoni on social media, which in today’s world is considered a significant slight.

Reports suggest the behind-the-scenes drama began when Baldoni asked a trainer about Lively’s weight. There was a scene requiring Baldoni to lift Lively, and because of his back issues, he wanted to ensure proper training. However, Lively reportedly perceived this as “fat shaming,” leading to tensions on the set.

The novel by Colleen Hoover is far from a standard romantic drama. It tackles serious issues such as domestic violence, a theme central to the story of the main characters, Lily Bloom and Ryle Kincaid. This has led to speculation that Justin Baldoni wanted the film to highlight domestic violence and abuse, while Blake Lively approached it more as a romantic comedy.

Interviews have shown a noticeable difference in how Baldoni and Lively discuss the film’s themes, underscoring their “creative differences.”

Fans remain curious as neither Baldoni nor Lively has publicly addressed the reported feud. Updates are eagerly awaited.

Many looked forward to seeing the couple, Lively and Reynolds, together on screen or at events, but this controversy has added an unexpected twist to the movie’s release. Stay tuned for more developments on this brewing Hollywood drama.

Source: TMZ, Getty Images