There’s more!

But who’s surprised? 

The “It Ends With Us” tea is hotter than ever, and we’re here to break down the seemingly neverending PR flubs so you don’t have to. Check out parts one and two of the “It Ends With Us” PR Lowdown to get caught up. 

Without further ado … here’s everything you need to know about the “It Ends With Us” public relations mistakes and how professionals and businesses can avoid these missteps.

Picking Up Where We Left Off

As of the last update, Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloan, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Baldoni also filed a separate suit against The New York Times for $250 million in damages after Lively pressed charges against him for sexual harassment on set. Lively’s lawyers have dismissed Baldoni’s claims, calling the lawsuit a “desperate” attack on a woman and predicting it will fail.

And if you thought the drama was winding down, think again. Baldoni has launched a new website, a one-stop-shop for everything related to his lawsuit and ongoing legal battle. The site includes a detailed, updated timeline of events, as well as an “amended complaint” for those following the saga. Whether you’re looking for the latest updates or deeper insights into the drama, this website is where you’ll find it all.

Take Notes:

While this PR drama can be detrimental to both parties, we are here to help your business avoid these public relations flubs. So here are three things we can learn from the It Ends With Us cast drama:

1. Be Transparent and Communicate Early
One of the biggest issues in this situation was the lack of open communication. Whether it’s a lawsuit, a misunderstanding on set, or a premiere mishap, addressing issues as soon as they arise can prevent them from escalating. Establishing clear, transparent communication both internally and externally allows for a more controlled narrative and less room for speculation. Baldoni has also spoken out about the controversy surrounding his absence at the It Ends With Us premiere, which sparked rumors back in August 2024. He claims that he and his family were forced to spend the evening in the basement of the venue, allegedly due to direction from Lively and “It Ends With Us” author Colleen Hoover. According to Baldoni, the situation unfolded as follows: “At the premiere in New York, Baldoni is instructed to walk the carpet separately from the rest of the cast. He is quickly ushered off the press line when it is announced that Lively is on her way. Once inside the theater lobby, security escorts Baldoni and his family to the basement to prevent a potential encounter with Lively.”

Baldoni claims that he and his family were held in the basement while Lively, Reynolds, and the rest of the cast walked the ‘pink carpet.’ He says they were then escorted to a separate screening room, away from the main premiere, to watch the film. To highlight the stark contrast, Baldoni shared images of his family in the basement while Lively and Reynolds posed on the carpet alongside other stars like Hugh Jackman. While there is no love lost between the director and co-star, addressing the issue between Lively and Baldoni early on, could have prevented some of the post-film release outbursts and hurt egos.

2. Maintain Boundaries and Respect Privacy
This whole ordeal can be broken down into one thing: boundary violations, both personal and professional. Whether it’s your employees or an entire film project, it’s crucial to protect your team, cast, and partners by respecting personal boundaries and privacy. Whether on set or in your company, fostering a culture of respect and understanding goes a long way. A good PR strategy involves setting expectations early, managing and maintaining boundaries with tact, and ensuring that individuals involved feel supported, and not exploited. As we have seen with the post-film release, not creating or adhering to boundaries has created a culture of resentment, overshadowing the project.

3. Control the Narrative with a Proactive Strategy
In a world where information moves quickly, controlling the narrative is key. When faced with a negative situation, it’s essential to be proactive, not reactive. One of Lively’s major allegations was sexual harassment during a scene, where she claimed Baldoni whispered inappropriate comments. However, the footage from that scene was actually recorded, and Baldoni’s team released the audio as evidence. The exchange revealed that Lively actually made a joke about Baldoni needing plastic surgery. Baldoni’s countersuit includes this detail, pointing out that Lively misrepresented the situation, claiming the scene was filmed without sound—when in fact, Baldoni was mic’d up, and the entire conversation was captured.

Take a look and see for yourself here. 

Baldoni’s team wisely released footage to counter Lively’s claims, but without proper strategy and timing, it could have made the situation worse. A carefully planned response, including timing and tone, can often diffuse tension and set the record straight.

By applying these lessons, you can avoid the kind of PR disaster seen in the It Ends With Us situation. With the right approach, you can turn potential crises into opportunities for growth, trust-building, and stronger relationships with your audience.

Need help? That’s what we’re here for. Let us guide you through every step of your PR journey—ensuring your brand stays strong, respected, and ready to tackle any challenge.