The Full Breakdown Of Justin Baldoni's Texts: Lawsuits, Co-Star Feuds, And The 'Traumatic' Confrontation

The public scrutiny surrounding Justin Baldoni, the actor and filmmaker best known for his role as Rafael Solano on *Jane the Virgin*, has reached a fever pitch following the high-profile legal dispute with his *It Ends With Us* co-star, Blake Lively, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. As of December 10, 2025, the core of the controversy centers on a series of text messages—now part of the public court record—that offer a raw, unvarnished look into the dramatic breakdown of the working relationship between the two lead actors, the accusations of a smear campaign, and the alleged sexual harassment claims that have rocked Hollywood. These texts, which span a critical period during and after the production of the highly anticipated film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, *It Ends With Us*, reveal Baldoni's frantic, emotional, and at times contradictory reactions to what he described as a "traumatic" confrontation at the Lively-Reynolds apartment. The messages, exchanged with friends and colleagues including *The Office* star Rainn Wilson, have become the most damning pieces of evidence in a complex legal feud that pits two major Hollywood figures against each other, forcing fans and the industry to re-evaluate the public personas of everyone involved. The following is a comprehensive analysis of the revelations contained within the now-infamous Justin Baldoni texts.

Justin Baldoni: Complete Profile and Career Overview

Justin Louis Baldoni is an American actor, director, producer, and entrepreneur whose career has been defined by his multifaceted work both in front of and behind the camera, often focusing on themes of masculinity, vulnerability, and social impact.

• Full Name: Justin Louis Baldoni
• Date of Birth: January 24, 1984
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Director, Producer, Author, Entrepreneur
• Best Known Roles: Rafael Solano on *Jane the Virgin* (The CW), Ryle Kincaid in *It Ends With Us* (Film Adaptation)
• Directing Credits: *Five Feet Apart* (2019), *Clouds* (2020), *It Ends With Us* (2024)
• Production Company: Wayfarer Studios (Co-founder)
• Notable Projects/Books: *Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity* (2021 Book), *The Man Enough Podcast*, *My Last Days* (Documentary Series)
• Spouse: Emily Baldoni (née Foxler)
• Children: Two (Maxwell and Maiya)
• Activism: Known for his Baha’i faith and his work promoting positive masculinity and mental health through his "Man Enough" movement.

The Lawsuit Context: Why Baldoni's Texts Became Public

The revelation of Justin Baldoni's private text messages stems directly from a dramatic legal battle that erupted after the filming of the *It Ends With Us* movie. The dispute involves a cross-complaint scenario: Baldoni filed a lawsuit against *The New York Times* after an article accused him of orchestrating a smear campaign and sexually harassing his co-star, Blake Lively. Lively, in turn, filed her own lawsuit, which included detailed allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment on the set of the film. The crucial evidence in both cases became the extensive text message threads exchanged between Baldoni, Lively, and other key figures involved in the film's production, including producer Jamey Heath, *The Last Ship* actor Travis Van Winkle, and even Rainn Wilson. The texts were submitted as part of the 179-page legal complaint, providing a chronological narrative of the escalating tension and the alleged misconduct. This situation is particularly jarring for fans of Baldoni, who built a significant platform and brand around challenging toxic masculinity through his book and podcast, *Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity*. The contrast between his public image and the accusations laid out in the court filings has fueled intense media coverage and public debate.

Key Revelations and 'Damning' Content from the Texts

The text messages released in the lawsuit filings paint a picture of an emotionally charged and highly volatile situation, particularly following a January 2024 meeting at the home of Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Baldoni described this meeting as a "traumatic experience" in his subsequent texts to his confidantes.

1. The 'Traumatic' Confrontation with Ryan Reynolds

One of the most widely reported text message threads details Baldoni's reaction immediately after being confronted by Ryan Reynolds, who reportedly was acting as his wife's advocate. Baldoni's texts described feeling ambushed and emotionally distressed by the encounter. He wrote about the intense pressure he felt and the subsequent distress when the words "creepy" and "abuse" were allegedly used in reference to his on-set behavior. He also claimed that he was "given the words of what to say," suggesting an element of coercion or script-following in his attempt to manage the fallout. This specific exchange is central to Baldoni’s claim that he was being set up or coerced into a narrative.

2. Support and Advice from Rainn Wilson

The texts also revealed a group chat that included actor Rainn Wilson, Baldoni's "dear friend and spiritual brother." Wilson’s messages to Baldoni were notably supportive, with the star of *The Office* suggesting that Baldoni had been "set up" in the situation. Wilson's involvement and public display of support, even through private text messages, added another layer of celebrity involvement to the complex legal drama, bolstering Baldoni's claim of being a victim of a targeted attack.

3. Accusations of a Hostile Environment

While Baldoni's texts focus on his distress, Lively's legal filings, which include her own messages, allege a hostile environment. One text allegedly sent by Lively referred to the men on set, presumably Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath, as "disgusting" and expressed a wish for them to leave her alone. The juxtaposition of Baldoni's texts describing his trauma and Lively's texts describing her discomfort encapsulates the "he said, she said" nature of the feud, with both parties claiming to be the victim of the other's actions.

4. The Influence of Colleen Hoover

Even the author of the source material, Colleen Hoover, was mentioned in the text message exchanges. One thread revealed that Hoover texted Baldoni about a specific article from *The Wrap*, expressing her anger about the coverage. This detail shows the deep level of involvement and concern from the creative team behind the novel, highlighting the immense pressure and the high stakes of the film's success, which was jeopardized by the co-star feud.

The Fallout on Baldoni's Career and Public Persona

The fallout from the public release of the Justin Baldoni texts has been significant. For an actor who has consciously cultivated a brand around progressive masculinity and emotional vulnerability—often speaking out on issues like gender equality and the need for men to express their feelings—the allegations and the content of the texts have created a major dissonance. The revelation that Baldoni was reportedly dropped by his agency following the publication of the sexual harassment accusations underscores the severity of the situation. His entire public identity, which is heavily invested in the "Man Enough" movement, has been scrutinized through the lens of the text messages. Critics and former supporters are questioning the authenticity of his advocacy, suggesting a gap between his public teachings and his private conduct or his handling of intense professional conflict. The ongoing legal battles between the *It Ends With Us* co-stars have cast a shadow over the film itself, turning what was supposed to be a blockbuster adaptation into a tabloid centerpiece. The texts serve as a stark reminder that even in Hollywood, the lines between professional collaboration and personal conflict can blur, leading to dramatic and career-altering consequences. The world continues to watch as the courts—and the court of public opinion—evaluate the full context of the messages and the truth behind the allegations.