Blake Lively Shares a Heartfelt Voice Message to Justin Baldoni Before Making It Ends With Us

Newly Unsealed Voice Message Reveals Blake Lively’s Struggles Ahead of Film Production

• New court exhibits disclose a voice message Blake Lively sent to Justin Baldoni prior to the filming of *It Ends With Us*
• Lively expresses feelings of being overwhelmed as she prepares for work
• The voice note emerges amid a legal dispute between Lively and Baldoni

Blake Lively recently sent a heartfelt voice message to her *It Ends With Us* costar and director Justin Baldoni, according to newly unsealed court documents. The audio, recorded in February 2023, highlights Lively’s challenges as she prepared to return to work.

This revelation comes during an ongoing legal dispute in which Lively, 38, has accused Baldoni, 42, of sexual harassment and retaliation, allegations he denies. Lively is seeking over $160 million in damages, with a trial set for May 2026 in New York.

In the voice message dated February 8, 2023, Lively candidly shared her feelings of being overwhelmed while managing multiple projects, family obligations, and the demands of caring for a newborn. Alongside her husband Ryan Reynolds, Lively is a mother to four children: daughters James, 11, Inez, 9, Betty, 6, and son Olin, 2.

“I’m talking to you as a friend at this point more than anything,” Lively said to Baldoni during the message.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us.

Sony Pictures Entertainment

She elaborated that her commitments to another filming project were contributing to her stress levels, stating, “The only reason that I’m doing [that movie] before is because I gave them my word and I wouldn’t go back on that. But having a week off in between, it’s just a lot.”

Lively also voiced concerns about returning to work without sufficient childcare, mentioning, “I still don’t have a baby nurse.” She expressed that the timing felt particularly daunting.

The majority of Lively’s message focused on her desire for a schedule adjustment to prepare adequately for *It Ends With Us*. She noted, “Shooting in April, shooting in March is just too soon after having a baby and not sleeping and wanting to be in my best shape.”

Lively even suggested the possibility of altering the production schedule, acknowledging the personal nature of her request: “Obviously there’s selfish reasons I’m telling you this,” she admitted to Baldoni. “If by chance you’re like, ‘Oh my God, if I could go two weeks earlier, that would actually be great,’ then amazing.”

She concluded her voice note with a sense of humor, quipping, “This is my social interaction these days — just talking into voice memos.”

During the production, Baldoni also reached out to Lively with a voice note apologizing for issues that arose during their work together, particularly regarding changes she made to a scene. This earlier conversation was also leaked in January 2025, although the timing of Baldoni’s message has not been confirmed.

In the exchanged audio and text messages, the duo discussed adjustments to the romantic drama’s rooftop scene, with Baldoni expressing regret regarding how the situation unfolded.