Colleen Hoover Separates 'It Ends With Us' Film From Lively-Baldoni Controversy

The author says it's 'easier to separate' the movie's success from the ongoing legal battle between the stars.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Colleen Hoover, the author of the novel 'It Ends With Us,' which was adapted into a 2024 film starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, says she is now able to look at the movie's success separately from the ongoing legal drama between the two actors. Lively sued Baldoni in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation and creating a hostile work environment, while Baldoni has denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times. Hoover acknowledged the situation has been 'unfortunate,' but she remains 'very much grateful' the film was made and that readers showed up for it.

Why it matters

The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni has overshadowed the successful adaptation of Hoover's novel, which resonated with readers. As the author, Hoover is trying to focus on the film's merits while distancing it from the off-screen drama.

The details

In a recent interview, Hoover said 'it is' hard to have the film wrapped up in the Lively-Baldoni controversy, but she's finding it 'easier to separate it' because of the movie's strong performance. She praised the work of the actors, director and crew, saying she's 'so proud of that movie' and has to look at 'everything else separate from the film, from the book.' Hoover previously told Elle magazine she felt 'embarrassed' to discuss the project due to the lawsuit.

  • In December 2024, Blake Lively sued her 'It Ends With Us' co-star Justin Baldoni.
  • Baldoni has denied Lively's allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times.
  • The Lively-Baldoni trial is set for May 18, 2026.

The players

Colleen Hoover

The author of the novel 'It Ends With Us,' which was adapted into a 2024 film.

Blake Lively

The actress who starred in the 2024 film adaptation of 'It Ends With Us.'

Justin Baldoni

The director and co-star of the 2024 film adaptation of 'It Ends With Us,' who was sued by Lively.

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What they’re saying

“It is, but it's getting easier to separate it because I do look at the success of it. Opening weekend, we just were all so shocked at how much readers showed up for it and how well it did and how much it resonated. I am so proud of that movie. I think the actors, the director, everyone did such a good job making it that I have to look at everything else separate from the film, from the book.”

— Colleen Hoover, Author (Open Book podcast)

“I feel like [the lawsuit] has overshadowed it. I'm almost embarrassed to say I wrote it. When people ask what I do, I'm just like, 'I'm a writer. Please don't ask me what I wrote.'”

— Colleen Hoover, Author (Elle magazine)

What’s next

The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is set to go to trial on May 18, 2026.

The takeaway

Despite the ongoing legal controversy surrounding the film adaptation of her novel, Colleen Hoover remains proud of the final product and is focused on separating the movie's success from the off-screen drama between the two lead actors.