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Blake Lively looked ‘anxious’ on It Ends With Us set with Justin Baldoni – her ‘submissive’ rituals may be ‘misleading’
The pro saw elements of 'disagreement' and hints that Blake was 'taking over'
SPECULATION over a simmering tension between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken over social media.
But while the It Ends With Us co-stars are keeping mum, a body language expert says helpful hints—including a potential red flag—can be gleaned from recently resurfaced footage.
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A rumored rift between Blake, 36, and Justin, 40, has social media users dying to know what really happened on set.
They haven't been photographed together while promoting the movie, and Blake has seemingly sidestepped questions about their collaboration.
But no one involved with the Colleen Hoover book adaptation has given any clear answer about what's happening.
The buzz has led to old clips resurfacing — and according to a body language expert, they hold clues about the origins of the so-called feud.
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Judi James said the clips showed elements of "disagreement" while they were on set, even if they put on smiling faces for fans and the crew.
“On the surface, their body language looked collaborative, where both lead actors were producing or directing,” she told The U.S. Sun.
Blake was a producer of the movie, while head honcho Justin was the director.
“There were no apparent signals of a face-off, but I would be inclined to say they might not work together again," James continued.
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“Blake seemed to be either offering, suggesting, or checking directions on set.
But there was more than initially met the eye.
"Some more detailed gestures showed some disagreement," she said.
It Ends With Us star Justin Balboni acted 'chauvonistic' & 'dismissed' Blake Lively's input in 'tense atmosphere' on set
"Blake showed slight signals of submissiveness and anxiety in her discussions with Justin.
"The lack of unifying poses of them together even trying to display signals of unity and friendship look like a red flag."
SUBMISSIVE BLAKE?
James noticed that the Gossip Girl star performed what appeared to be "anxious hand wringing" in one clip.
"She sucked her lips inward in a submissive-looking display," said James.
Blake appeared to be taking over here somewhat at times.
Judi James
“She kept the high hand clasp and then wrung them in what looked like an anxiety ritual, so Blake was indeed anxious on set.
“Blake’s submissive rituals could be misleading, though.”
BLAKE'S THE BOSS?
Other footage, meanwhile, appeared to show Blake calling the shots.
James noted that while Justin was the director, Blake showed some "directional arm signals" that could point to her "taking over and making her suggestions."
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"Blake appeared to be taking over here somewhat at times," she observed.
"Still, while Justin is in charge, their body language looks reasonably collaborative for a movie set.
"Overall, in all the online clips, there was no visually dominant winner between Justin and Blake in the power-pose stakes.”
WHAT'S GOING ON, GUYS?
Talk of a feud between Blake and Justin has reached a fever pitch as they promote the movie through interviews and red-carpet appearances.
They posed separately at the New York premiere, and while Blake has been joined by other co-stars for interviews, Justin has been on his own.
Blake and several co-stars, including Jenny Slate, reportedly unfollowed Justin on Instagram.
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The Hollywood Reporter claimed difficulties between the pair emerged over two movie cuts, one by Justin and one by Blake.
Blake has also divulged that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, wrote part of a pivotal scene.
Some TikTokers have speculated that Blake edged Justin out of his directorial duties.
She, meanwhile, has been outspoken about her hands-on approach to the film.
Blake took on a marginally more dominant moment.
Judi James
“The work I did as a producer was far more all-consuming than anything I did playing Lily. I just did it all. There’s nothing I didn’t touch on this film,” Blake told Variety.
“I’ve put everything I have into this, and I’m proud of it.’ It’s one of the greatest gifts of my life, and definitely my career,” she added.
Some fans have also questioned Blake's promotion of the film, accusing her of treating it as a light-hearted romcom to watch with girlfriends while wearing floral dresses.
Justin, meanwhile, has been the only cast member consistently discussing domestic abuse, a central theme of the book and movie.
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TWO SIDES TO THE TALE
While neither Justin nor Blake has spoken out about any rift, insiders have made claims about the drama.
DailyMail.com reported an insider said Justin fostered a “tense atmosphere on set.”
"During scenes depicting abuse, Justin failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, instead focusing solely on what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint,” they told the publication.
"His approach was very chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set,” the source said.
Interestingly, on Wednesday, Justin also told CBS he was scared to act in the movie.
"As a man, I'm always gonna come with my own biases, it's one of the reasons I was afraid to direct this movie let alone act in it,” he said.
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"I wanted to make sure this film always had a female gaze and I was never putting myself into it.”
On Thursday, talking on the Today Show, the actor stumbled when Sheinelle asked him about Blake.
CLINCHED IT
According to James, one of the clips showed Justin looking "compliant."
“Blake was seen during filming showing Justin how to pull her in for their clinch by doing it to him herself first,” she said.
"Blake took on a marginally more dominant moment.
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“This direction of his movements could have been a flashpoint for some actors if both wanted to imprint their directorial hierarchy on each other.
"This moment seemed to pass off well.
“Blake pulled him in, and his response appeared reasonable and compliant.
“His eyebrows raise in a flash that suggests he gets it, and he appears happy to be shown what to do here."
Another clip showed "chilly elements" including a "polite truce."
Read More on The US Sun
"Blake and Justin's torsos never really face each other or reach a stage of true proximity," James said.
"Still, this all suggested a lack of any definitive animosity-fuelled break-down."
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