Justin Baldoni Apologizes to Blake Lively in Leaked Audio Amid Legal Dispute

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A leaked audio message reveals actor and director Justin Baldoni apologizing to co-star Blake Lively during the production of their film “It Ends With Us,” shedding light on tensions that have since escalated into a public legal battle. The nearly seven-minute voice note, first published Monday, captures Baldoni addressing script changes proposed by Lively, who also served as a producer on the project.

In the recording, Baldoni expresses regret for his handling of the situation. “I want to start with an apology. Man, reading the second part of your message, my heart sank and I’m really sorry. I, for sure, fell short and you worked really hard on that,” Baldoni said. “I feel really grateful that you feel safe enough to tell me that that’s how you feel and share that with me. And I’m really sorry. I f***ed up. That is a fail on my part.”

The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel, explores themes of intimate partner violence and stars Lively and Baldoni as the central couple. Baldoni, who also directed the project, acknowledged his imperfections in the message, stating, “I am far from perfect. I’m a very flawed man, as my wife will attest… but I will always apologize and then find my way back to center.”

CNN has not independently verified the authenticity of the voice memo, though Baldoni references sending the message at 2 a.m. Representatives for both Lively and Baldoni have not yet responded to requests for comment.

The leaked audio comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between the two stars, though details of the conflict remain undisclosed. The film, which has drawn significant attention for its adaptation of Hoover’s novel, is set for release later this year.