A previously private voice message sent by Blake Lively to Justin Baldoni has suddenly become public, and it has everyone on social media talking. The message, recorded on February 8, 2023, was part of legal filings in the ongoing drama between the It Ends With Us co‑stars and collaborators.
In the recording, Lively is candid about how stressed and overwhelmed she felt preparing to work on the film shortly after having her child and managing other projects. She reaches out to Baldoni, who directed and starred in the movie, not with complaints but with a personal appeal about the film’s schedule.
She emphasizes she’s speaking to him “as a friend,” explaining that returning to work so soon after childbirth, without steady childcare in place, was taking a toll. She even asks if the production timeline could shift slightly to ease that pressure.
The message was intended to be kept private. Lively asked Baldoni to “keep this between us” when she signed off. But now the memo is stirring fresh debate as part of the high‑profile legal battle between the two actors. Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, which he has denied. A trial is scheduled for May 18, 2026, in New York.
Blake Lively calls Justin Baldoni a “friend” in a voice memo sent before the film shoot. https://t.co/lWSvbLJBDu pic.twitter.com/mIOe8RW0pV
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 29, 2026
The content of the voicemail itself doesn’t include accusations or dramatic confrontations. Instead, it reveals Lively’s attempt to communicate openly about stress and work‑life balance challenges with someone she once considered a collaborator and friend. That contrast between the calm, personal tone of the message and the current legal dispute is part of what’s getting attention now.
Where the Feud Stands Now
The public release of this voice memo comes amid a very messy public dispute between Lively and Baldoni that has played out across court filings, leaked texts, and social media. The feud started during and after production on It Ends With Us, a movie adapted from a bestselling novel that became a box‑office hit but also, ironically, the center of backstage tension. Rumors of a rift between Lively and Baldoni circulated as fans noticed they did not interact during press events following the film’s premiere.
In late 2024, Lively sued Baldoni alleging he created a hostile environment on set, including inappropriate conduct and retaliation when she raised concerns. Baldoni denied these allegations and at one point responded with his own lawsuit, accusing Lively and her team of defamation and other claims. His countersuit was dismissed in 2025, but his legal response and other filings added fuel to the public debate.
Since then, court documents have been unsealed showing private communications involving both sides. Alongside the voice memo, unsealed text messages have shown exchanges between Lively and other celebrities, including a few involving Taylor Swift that drew reactions from fans when they appeared in filings. Everyday viewers have been sifting through both heartfelt and blunt messages to try to understand the true nature of the feud.
Some of the newly revealed material shows disagreements over scheduling, rewrites, and creative control during filming. This has made the conflict feel less like a classic Hollywood falling‑out over glamour and more like a complex clash over power, trust, and communication. The voice memo adds another layer because it shows Lively reaching out in a vulnerable, human way well before the relationship deteriorated publicly.
The Broader Context of the Debate
This voice message has sparked discussion not just because it’s private content going public, but because it reveals how personal and work challenges overlap in Hollywood relationships, especially when stakes are high. Lively was coming off maternity leave, preparing for a demanding role, and trying to balance family life. Her message reflects that genuine stress without conflict. Now that same recording is being used as part of a much bigger legal story.
For fans and entertainment watchers, this raises bigger questions about how private conversations are used in public disputes. When legal battles involve celebrities, personal communications that were never meant for an audience can become tools in courtroom strategies or media narratives. A message intended to show respect and friendship might now be interpreted in a hundred different ways depending on where you stand in the feud.
Some see the voice memo as evidence of Lively’s sincerity. Others believe its release could bolster Baldoni’s defense by showing the context of their early working relationship.
Whatever the legal implications, the wider conversation it has sparked touches on how celebrities navigate vulnerability, conflict, and reputation in a world where even a private message can end up in headlines.
What do you think?
