Justin Baldoni Tells Blake Lively He's a 'Flawed Man' and 'Fell Short' in Apology Voice Note Leaked amid Legal Battle

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Baldoniapologized toBlake Livelyafter the two discussed changes she made to anIt Ends with Usscene, according to a newly-leaked voice note he purportedly sent to the actress. (PEOPLE cannot verify when the message was recorded.)

Amid Baldoni, 41, and Lively’s, 37,ongoing legal dispute, whereLively accused Baldoni of sexual harassmentduring the making of the 2024 hit film he directed, which he has denied, a text exchange between the actors was released inBaldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively.

In the text messages, thecostars discussed Lively’s alleged changesto the romantic drama’s rooftop scene. Lively allegedly told Baldoni she was disappointed in his initial response to her tweaks, and added that her husband,Ryan Reynolds, and close friend, later revealed to beTaylor Swift, applauded the changes.

Baldoni tells Livelyhe “really love(d) what (she) did"and that her changes “[made] it so much more fun and interesting.”

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni.Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty

“I’m really sorry. I for sure fell short and you worked really hard on that,” he is heard saying.

“And the way you framed it and how that made you feel, I just want to say thank you for sharing that with me,” Baldoni continued. “That takes a lot of trust and vulnerability. I feel really grateful that you feel safe enough to tell me that’s how you feel and share that with me. I’m really sorry, I f—– up.”

TheJane the Virginalum said he was willing to “admit and apologize when I fail,” calling himself, “a very flawed man as my wife will attest.”

After apologizing again and vowing to “do better,” Baldoni saluted Lively’s close circle and said, “Damn right you’ve got great friends if that’s how you felt and they knew that. We should all have friends like that; aside from the fact that they’re the two most creative people on the planet. The three of you guys together is unbelievable. Talk about energy; just a force, all three of you.”

He continued and praised Lively’s scene as “really good” and said it would “make the movie sing.”

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.Gotham/WireImage (2)

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni attend the “It Ends With Us” New York Premiere.

Gotham/WireImage (2)

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.

“I’m excited to go through the whole movie with you. I’m just excited to spend time with you,” Baldoni is heard saying.

Lively’s representatives could not be reached for comment.

The trial for Lively and Baldoni is set to start on March 9, 2026, with a pretrial conference scheduled for February 3, 2025.

During the conference, New York federal judge Lewis J. Liman plans to merge the two cases and have the parties outline a briefing schedule in preparation for the trial date.

Elizabeth Rosner

source: people.com