Bestselling author Colleen Hoover has deactivated her Instagram account as tensions rise in the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, the stars of the film adaptation of her 2016 novel, It Ends with Us. The controversy began in December when Lively, who portrayed Lily Bloom in the film, filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni, who also directed the movie. In response, Baldoni countersued Lively and The New York Times, escalating the dispute.
In her complaint, Lively alleged that Baldoni fostered a toxic on-set environment. She accused him of entering her trailer without permission while she was breastfeeding, adding intimate scenes to the script without her consent, and launching a smear campaign against her. A New York Times exposé titled “We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine” supported the allegations. The article brought significant attention to the case, intensifying the legal and public relations battle between the two stars.
For those unfamiliar, Hoover’s novel, It Ends with Us, tells the story of Lily, a woman determined to break the cycle of domestic violence she witnessed as a child. After her father’s death, Lily begins a relationship with Ryle, a charming but abusive neurosurgeon, while reconnecting with her high school love, Atlas, who had experienced abuse in his own past. Ultimately, Lily ends her relationship with Ryle to protect her unborn daughter, vowing that the violence will stop with her. The novel, inspired by Hoover’s experiences growing up in an abusive household, has sold millions of copies and remained a New York Times bestseller for years.
Hoover initially voiced her support for Lively in a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing a photo of the two embracing and writing, “@blakelively, you have been nothing but kind, honest, supportive, and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change, never wilt.” However, fans recently noticed that Hoover’s Instagram account has been deactivated. The move appears to reflect her decision to step away from the controversy as the case gains even more public attention.
The legal stakes are high. Reports suggest that Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, have requested a court order to prevent Baldoni’s legal team from making public statements about the case. Lively’s legal team has accused Baldoni’s lawyers of releasing misleading on-set footage to defend him, arguing that these actions are damaging her reputation. Baldoni’s team, however, argues that a gag order would be unfair, asserting that the media has already defamed their client and that he deserves the opportunity to present his side of the story.
The escalating conflict has drawn widespread public interest, with fans and critics divided. Lively’s accusations have highlighted the challenges faced by women in the film industry, while Baldoni’s countersuit has raised questions about the portrayal of such disputes in the media.
Hoover’s decision to deactivate her Instagram may signal her intent to remain neutral as the legal battle unfolds. Her retreat from social media reflects the immense scrutiny surrounding the case, as fans of both the author and the film stars closely monitor developments.
As the court case continues, the outcome is expected to significantly impact all involved. For Hoover, the focus may remain on her work and the enduring impact of It Ends with Us, a story that has resonated with readers worldwide for its raw depiction of resilience and the courage to break free from cycles of abuse.
(Article compiled by Diya Taneja student of Journalism JCC College, New Delhi)
