Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal saga began in December 2024. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal saga began in December 2024. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Blake Lively’s unsealed voice message to It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni has surfaced, offering a rare, personal glimpse into the actress’ mindset just weeks before filming began.

The audio, dated February 8, 2023, was revealed through newly unsealed court exhibits tied to the ongoing legal dispute between Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 42. Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation — claims he has denied. The case, in which Lively is seeking over $160 million in damages, is scheduled to go to trial in New York in May 2026.

Blake Lively Opens Up Ahead of Filming It Ends With Us

In the voice note, Lively addressed Baldoni directly, framing the message as a personal outreach rather than a professional demand. “I’m talking to you as a friend at this point more than anything,” she said.

At the time, the actress was navigating an intense personal and professional stretch, balancing multiple work commitments while caring for her newborn son, Olin, and her three daughters — James, 11, Inez, 9, and Betty, 6 — whom she shares with husband Ryan Reynolds.

Lively revealed that she was already obligated to complete another film project before beginning It Ends With Us, despite feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. “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,” she explained. “But having a week off in between, it’s just a lot.”

She also spoke candidly about the lack of childcare support during that period. “I still don’t have a baby nurse,” she said, describing how the pressure of returning to work so soon after giving birth felt overwhelming.

Scheduling Concerns and Personal Appeals

A significant portion of the message focused on Lively’s concerns about the filming timeline and her readiness for the role. “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,” she said.

While acknowledging that her request was partly personal, Lively floated the idea of adjusting the production schedule. “Obviously there’s selfish reasons I’m telling you this,” she told 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 ended the voice note on a light note, quipping, “This is my social interaction these days — just talking into voice memos.”