Hollywood has been rocked recently by a series of serious allegations made by Blake Lively against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Amid the sexual harassment and smear campaign allegations, Brandon Sklenar, who plays Atlas Corrigan in the film, has publicly rallied behind Lively, showing support for his co-star and making it clear that he stands by her side. In an emotional post on social media, Sklenar shared a clip of Lively’s complaint against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, saying, “For the love of God, read this.” Accompanied by a heart emoji, Sklenar tagged Blake Lively on his Instagram story, clearly and directly expressing his solidarity. The gesture put him among several public figures and colleagues who have spoken out in support of Lively, including It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover, actress Amber Heard, and director Paul Feig. Sklenar’s stance has been met with appreciation from many, as he is one of the newest cast members to speak out publicly, reflecting the growing support for Lively at a very difficult time for the actress. Sklenar’s performance as Atlas, the childhood love of Lively’s protagonist, made many notice the chemistry between the two in the film, but now, with these new allegations emerging, he has shown solidarity with his co-star.
Sony Pictures, which is the distributor of *It Ends With Us*, has also spoken out about the allegations, reiterating its full support for Blake Lively. A spokesperson for the company said: *“We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today. Furthermore, we strongly condemn any attacks on her reputation. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society.”*
Additionally, SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union in the United States, has also spoken out strongly in response to Lively’s allegations. The organization called the allegations “alarming and troubling” and emphasized the right of workers to voice their concerns or file a grievance. SAG-AFTRA also emphasized that “retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong,” applauding Blake Lively’s courage in speaking out about her harassment and her request for an intimacy coordinator to be present during scenes with nudity or sexual content.
This last point, the requirement for an intimacy coordinator, has proven to be an increasingly essential measure on film sets, seeking to ensure a safe and respectful environment for actors while filming sensitive scenes. Lively’s public support has not only come from her colleagues and organizations, but also reflects a broader movement in the film industry to ensure that safety and respect in the workplace are always a priority.
Amid these controversies, Justin Baldoni was dropped by WME (William Morris Endeavor), the agency that also represents Blake Lively. Baldoni’s departure from the agency was seen as a direct consequence of the allegations, which not only damaged his personal reputation but also impacted the dynamics on the set of It Ends With Us. Baldoni has yet to officially address Lively’s allegations, but the reaction from the public and the film industry has been clear and unwavering.
Brandon Sklenar’s support for Blake Lively raises an important issue about the film workplace and the responsibilities of professionals to protect one another. Sklenar’s stance reflects a commitment to mutual respect, something that, unfortunately, not everyone in the industry seems to value. However, gestures like Sklenar’s and the support Lively has received are helping to reinforce the importance of a safe and healthy work environment for everyone involved, free from abuse and harassment.
As the investigations and legal proceedings continue, support for Blake Lively from her colleagues and the industry at large remains strong, and the story of *It Ends With Us* goes beyond its romantic plot to also become a reflection on the fight for respect and dignity in the workplace. Brandon Sklenar’s stance, alongside Lively, is an example of how Hollywood stars can, when necessary, come together and support each other in times of adversity, showing that solidarity among colleagues can be a powerful force.
