“Team It Ends With Us”: Brandon Sklenar Redirects Focus Amid Legal Firestorm Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
In a recent chat on CBS Mornings, Gayle King put Brandon Sklenar, the star of *It Ends With Us*, in a tricky spot—asking him which side he was on in the ongoing legal feud between producer Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, while he shot back with a countersuit claiming defamation and extortion. Yikes! But instead of playing the celebrity gossip game, Sklenar shifted the narrative, urging everyone to remember the film’s core message: hope and resilience amidst abuse.
Sklenar highlighted that the movie, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, holds deep personal significance for him. “I have someone very close to me who’s gone through what Lily is going through, and that history shaped how I approached this role,” he said. His sentiment directly connects to the film’s plot, which follows Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, as she escapes an abusive relationship—an issue that resonates with many fans and viewers.
Despite King’s quip about “team Blake or team Justin?” Sklenar offered a wise-cracking yet heartfelt response: “I’m Team It Ends With Us.” This wasn’t twisty drama—this was a passionate plea to keep the focus on the project’s real purpose. With the entertainment industry still grappling with #MeToo aftershocks, Sklenar’s message resonates loudly: focusing on personal stories of strength should triumph over salacious headlines.
Echoing similar sentiments, an earlier statement from Sklenar reinforced the idea that vilifying the women involved, simply because of the legal mess behind the scenes, distracts from the film’s intended impact. “It’s a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their s— together,” he remarked, invoking a call for accountability while tempering internet outrage with a reminder to think before spreading negativity.
The incident highlights a larger narrative in Hollywood, revealing the pressures faced by actors when caught in the whirlwind of legal battles that overshadow their artistic intentions. So, in a world fixated on celebrity feuds, Sklenar serves as a refreshing reminder to prioritize what truly matters.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Entertainment Weekly, Deadline, Variety
