Blake Lively 'felt fat-shamed' by Justin Baldoni on It Ends With Us set and was 'uneasy' over kissing scene - amid feud rumors

• e-mail

Blake Lively allegedly felt 'fat-shamed' by Justin Baldoni on the set of It Ends With Us and was uncomfortable with a kissing scene she had with him in which she believed he 'lingered' for longer than was necessary. 

Amid swirling rumors of a feud between the duo, a new report has shed light on two alleged instances involving Baldoni that made Lively feel uncomfortable during the making of the film. 

TMZ reports that the alleged fat-shaming stemmed from preparation for a scene in the film which saw Baldoni lift Lively into the air.

Insiders told the website that Baldoni suffers from back problems and sought assistance from a trainer prior to the lifting scene. 

Baldoni, 40, allegedly asked the trainer how much Lively, 36, weighed and asked for help preparing his back to avoid incurring an injury. 

Blake Lively allegedly felt 'fat-shamed' by Justin Baldoni on the set of It Ends With Us and was uncomfortable over a kissing scene that she believed went longer than was necessary; Baldoni and Lively seen filming a kissing scene for their movie back in January 

When Blake learned about Baldoni's comments, she allegedly felt fat-shamed by him. 

Lively welcomed her fourth child with husband Ryan Reynolds in February 2023, and sources shared with TMZ the remark really got to the actress.  

TMZ sources also cited another alleged instance that bothered Lively on the set.

The duo were filming a kissing scene and sources claim Lively believed Baldoni 'lingered' longer than was necessary for the kiss. 

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Baldoni and Lively for comment. 

TMZ previously reported that insiders do not believe Baldoni is the obvious villain in the feud, with several of his It Ends With Us colleagues supporting him.

A few insiders also claimed several actors are exaggerating the rift to promote the movie.

Rumors of a feud between Lively, the star of the film, and Baldoni, her co-star and director of It Ends With Us, have been brewing as of late. 

 Baldoni starred opposite Lively in It Ends With Us and also directed the film 

Amid the swirling feud rumors, Baldoni has now hired a crisis public relations firm to represent him. Baldoni is turning to the well-regarded PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan for help, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

People has reported the rift also includes the principal cast of the film and Colleen Hoover, the author of the book of which the film is based on.

People reported on Monday that the core cast and Hoover 'will have nothing to do with' Baldoni.

'All is not what it seems' in regards to Baldoni, who also reportedly clashed with the film's leading star Blake amid production of the motion picture, a source told People on Monday.

Rumors of a feud between Lively, the star of the film, and Baldoni, her co-star and director of It Ends With Us, have been brewing as of late

'There is much more to this story,' a source told the outlet. 'The principal cast and Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him.'

While the director had 'creative differences' with some of his collaborators on the motion picture, reports of tension while making the film had been 'overblown,' a source close to Baldoni told People Monday.

The source added that Lively 'wants to direct the next movie, sidelining him and securing the rights from Colleen.'

Adding to the speculation about tension between the director and star of the film was Baldoni foregoing taking full cast pictures during the movie's New York City premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on August 6, People reported.

Baldoni was pictured only posing alongside his spouse Emily Baldoni, 40, relatives and producers at the debut of the film.

According to a logline for the film, Lily (Lively) 'overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life, as 'a chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents' relationship'

Baldoni presided over an 'extremely difficult' environment for cast and crew, Page Six reported, quoting multiple sources, noting that Lively was personally 'uncomfortable' amid filming.

A source told the outlet, 'None of the cast enjoyed working with Justin - they certainly didn't talk to him at the premiere.'

Insiders told Page Six that Lively and Baldoni watched the motion picture in 'two separate theaters' at the venue.

Separate insiders told the outlet that Baldoni 'would never intentionally make his cast feel unsupported.'

The hard feelings between Baldoni and Lively could impact future projects in the franchise, as he might not direct a sequel based off Colleen Hoover’s 2022 book It Starts With Us, the follow-up to the current film's source novel, 2016's It Ends With Us.

Baldoni, whose production organization Wayfarer Studios possess the rights to the book, appeared to distance himself from directing a sequel in a red carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight at the premiere.

Adding to the speculation about tension between the director and star of the film was Baldoni foregoing taking full cast pictures during the movie's New York City premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on August 6, People reported 

'I think that there are better people for that one - I think Blake Lively's ready to direct, that's what I think,' Baldoni said.

Sources told DailyMail.com Friday that Baldoni behaved in a 'chauvinistic' and 'borderline abusive' manner during filming of the motion picture, and had been 'dismissive' of suggestions made by Lively 'during scenes depicting abuse.'

The source added that Baldoni 'failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, instead focusing solely on what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint' and that 'his approach was very chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set.

'Justin almost became the character in the sense that some women on set felt he was borderline abusive to them and that he was unprofessional and unapologetic.'

According to a logline for the film, Lily (Lively) 'overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life, as 'a chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents' relationship.'

The movie, which also stars Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar and Kevin McKidd, finished second at the domestic box office over the weekend with $50 million, and made $80 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo.