Gayle King Asks Brandon Sklenar Whether He's 'Team Blake or Team Justin' inIt Ends With UsLegal Battle

Mar. 15, 2025

Brandon Sklenar and Gayle King onCBS MorningsFeb. 17, 2025.Photo:CBS Mornings/X

CBS Mornings/X

Brandon Sklenarisn’t taking sides in the conflict between hisIt Ends With UscostarsBlake LivelyandJustin Baldoni.The1923star appeared onCBS MorningsMonday, Feb. 17, where he discussed the upcomingsecond season of theYellowstoneprequeland fielded a question from co-hostGayle Kingabout the drama between Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 41.“Are you Team Blake or Team Justin?” King asked, which led Sklenar, 34, to laugh and reply, “I’m TeamIt Ends With Us.“Before that, King, 70, asked Sklenar how he was handling the ongoinglegal battle between Lively and Baldonias their fellow castmate.“I just want people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for, and just keeping the focus on that,” he said.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Sklenar went on to share, “I have someone very close to me who’s gone through what [Lively’s character Lily is] going through for a long time and I’ve been on the front lines helping her navigate that space, so that movie meant a lot to me and it means a lot to her.““It was one of the reasons that me doing that movie gave her the strength to change her life,” he continued. “It’s unfortunate that things get taken away from what the ethos of that thing is and it gets convoluted.“In December 2024, Livelyfiled a sexual harassment complaintagainst Baldoni, who also directed the movie, accusing him of misconduct during production. She also alleged that Baldoni and his associatesengaged in a retaliatory smear campaigndesigned to “destroy” her reputation. Baldoni has denied the allegations.In January, Baldoniresponded with a lawsuitagainst Lively, her husbandRyan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane’s PR firm alleging civil extortion and defamation. The case is currentlyscheduled to go to trialin March 2026.Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively at theIt Ends with Uspremiere in New York City on Aug. 6, 2024.James Devaney/GC Images; Ian West/PA Images via GettySklenar — who will also appear in the upcoming movieThe Housemaid— previously came out in support of the women behindIt Ends With Us, who also includeIsabela Ferrer,Jenny Slateand the book’s authorColleen Hoover.“Vilifying the womenwho put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about,” he wrote in August, in part, onInstagram.Continued the actor, “What may or may nothave happened behind the scenesdoes not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film. It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.“Sklenar also said the film is “meant to build courage and help people feel less alone,” adding, “Ultimately it’s meant to spread love and awareness. It is not meant to once again, make the women the ‘bad guy,’ let’s move beyond that together.“InDecember, Sklenar showed support for Lively, encouraging his followers to read her complaint in full. “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS,” he wrote on Instagram, linking to the filing and tagging Lively’s account with a heart emoji.

Brandon Sklenarisn’t taking sides in the conflict between hisIt Ends With UscostarsBlake LivelyandJustin Baldoni.

The1923star appeared onCBS MorningsMonday, Feb. 17, where he discussed the upcomingsecond season of theYellowstoneprequeland fielded a question from co-hostGayle Kingabout the drama between Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 41.

“Are you Team Blake or Team Justin?” King asked, which led Sklenar, 34, to laugh and reply, “I’m TeamIt Ends With Us.”

Before that, King, 70, asked Sklenar how he was handling the ongoinglegal battle between Lively and Baldonias their fellow castmate.

“I just want people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for, and just keeping the focus on that,” he said.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Sklenar went on to share, “I have someone very close to me who’s gone through what [Lively’s character Lily is] going through for a long time and I’ve been on the front lines helping her navigate that space, so that movie meant a lot to me and it means a lot to her.”

“It was one of the reasons that me doing that movie gave her the strength to change her life,” he continued. “It’s unfortunate that things get taken away from what the ethos of that thing is and it gets convoluted.”

In December 2024, Livelyfiled a sexual harassment complaintagainst Baldoni, who also directed the movie, accusing him of misconduct during production. She also alleged that Baldoni and his associatesengaged in a retaliatory smear campaigndesigned to “destroy” her reputation. Baldoni has denied the allegations.

In January, Baldoniresponded with a lawsuitagainst Lively, her husbandRyan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane’s PR firm alleging civil extortion and defamation. The case is currentlyscheduled to go to trialin March 2026.

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively at theIt Ends with Uspremiere in New York City on Aug. 6, 2024.James Devaney/GC Images; Ian West/PA Images via Getty

James Devaney/GC Images; Ian West/PA Images via Getty

Sklenar — who will also appear in the upcoming movieThe Housemaid— previously came out in support of the women behindIt Ends With Us, who also includeIsabela Ferrer,Jenny Slateand the book’s authorColleen Hoover.

“Vilifying the womenwho put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about,” he wrote in August, in part, onInstagram.

Continued the actor, “What may or may nothave happened behind the scenesdoes not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film. It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”

Sklenar also said the film is “meant to build courage and help people feel less alone,” adding, “Ultimately it’s meant to spread love and awareness. It is not meant to once again, make the women the ‘bad guy,’ let’s move beyond that together.”

InDecember, Sklenar showed support for Lively, encouraging his followers to read her complaint in full. “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD READ THIS,” he wrote on Instagram, linking to the filing and tagging Lively’s account with a heart emoji.

source: people.com